Assam: Ferries halted as majestic elephant herd crosses Brahmaputra River

Ferry services across the Brahmaputra River near Majuli, the world’s largest river island, were suspended mid-river after a massive herd of over 150 wild elephants was spotted dangerously close to the ferry route.

 

The ferry line, which connects Kamalabari Ghat in Majuli with Nimatighat in Jorhat, serves as a crucial transportation link for both residents and tourists. However, the appearance of the elephant herd on Thursday and again on Friday triggered serious safety concerns, prompting authorities to halt ferry operations as a precautionary measure.

 

Several ferries and passengers were left stranded midstream, as forest and district authorities worked to assess the risk and respond to the unusual wildlife movement.

 

The presence of elephant calves within the herd added to the sensitivity of the situation, heightening fears of potential stampedes or erratic animal behaviour that could lead to human casualties.

 

Passengers and locals have urged the Majuli Forest Department and district administration to take immediate steps to safely guide the herd away from human zones and restore ferry services, which are the lifeline of the island’s transportation.

 

In response, officials stated that monitoring and intervention efforts are underway, with forest department teams actively engaged in ensuring the safety of both the animals and stranded passengers.