Floodwaters wash away 300 metre iron bridge in Assam’s Dhemaji, connectivity cut off

A 300-metre-long iron bridge connecting Kemi and Oyan in Assam’s Dhemaji district was washed away by strong floodwaters in the Kemi River on Sunday, June 28 completely cutting off connectivity between the Kemi–Purana Jelom area and Jonai Sadar.

According to local residents, a sudden rise in the river’s water level triggered the collapse of the bridge, which had reportedly been constructed around a year ago. The incident occurred amid heavy inflow of water from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

A resident said that water discharge in the river began increasing from around 11:00 AM and intensified rapidly. By approximately 11:30 AM, the river had overflowed, eventually sweeping away the bridge.

Locals alleged that concerns had been raised during the construction phase regarding the suitability of an iron structure over the Kemi River, which is known for carrying strong and swift currents during the monsoon season. Residents claimed they had instead demanded a permanent concrete bridge, expressing apprehension about the long-term sustainability of the structure.

The destruction of the bridge has caused significant disruption for residents of the affected areas. Educational access has emerged as a major concern, with locals stating that students from Kemi depend on crossing the river to attend the only school serving the area. With examinations reportedly approaching and water levels expected to remain high over the next few days, concerns have been raised over students’ ability to continue attending classes.

The incident has also affected agricultural activities during the peak farming season. Farmers who regularly cross the river to access agricultural land are expected to face logistical difficulties until alternative arrangements or restoration measures are undertaken.

Authorities had not issued an official statement on restoration plans at the time of reporting.