Rain fury in Dima Hasao; train services disrupted, schools closed till May 4

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 2, 2024

Heavy rainfall in Assam’s Dima Hasao district since the last week of April caused a disaster-like situation snapping the road and railway communication network of the hill district with the rest of the northeastern region.

The situation has forced the district administration to issue a notification restricting public transport movement on Highway No. 27 from Haflong to Silchar due to flooding and landslides between Jatinga and Harangjao. 

All educational institutions in the Dima Hasao district will remain closed until May 4, and residents are advised against unnecessary travel for the next three days.

The rain damaged railway tracks Jatinga-Lampur and New Harangajao under Lumding Railway Division forcing Northeast Frontier Railway authorities to cancel all trains through the hill section till May 8.

“In view of the ongoing track repairing work at KM – 110/7 between Jatinga-Lampur and New Harangajao under Lumding Railway Division, the NF Railway has cancelled and rescheduled some trains,” NF Railway spokesperson Sabyasachi De said.

The trains which have been cancelled are: 15615/15616 (Guwahati –Silchar – Guwahati) Express scheduled to leave from May 3 to 7, 15887/15888 (Guwahati – Badarpur – Guwahati) Tourist Express scheduled to leave on May 4,  15611 (Rangiya – Silchar) Express scheduled to leave on May 4 and 6, 15612 (Silchar – Rangiya) Express scheduled to leave on May 5 & 8, 15617 (Guwahati – Dullabcherra) Express scheduled to leave on May 4 & 6, 15618 (Dullabcherra – Guwahati) Express scheduled to leave on May 5 & 7, 15641 (Silchar – New Tinsukia) Express, 15642 (New Tinsukia – Silchar) Express, 05638 (Silchar – Naharlagun) Special and 05637 (Naharlagun – Silchar) Special scheduled to leave on May 4, 5, 6 & 7.

In addition to this, train no 07029 (Agartala– Secunderabad) Special commencing journey on May 3 has been rescheduled to start at 11:50 pm instead of 6:20 am.

Due to continuous rainfall, there was waterlogging in many parts of Haflong town.

Rail and road communication links with Barak Valley, Tripura and Mizoram have been affected as the rainfall damaged highways in several places between Lumding and Silchar. 

One youth lost his life in a tragic road mishap near Ditekchera under Harangajao police station, in which six others were also injured seriously.

The deceased has been identified as Debraj Deb Barman. 30 passengers with minor injuries were admitted to the Silchar Medical College & Hospital. 

The bus bearing No AS01NC0243 was proceeding from Agartala to Guwahati, which lost control and fell into a ditch.

In addition to this, the power supply in many areas of the hill district was disrupted due to heavy rain and landslides. Several electric poles were also damaged due to landslides in Maibang. 

Damage to public health infrastructure, particularly pipelines in the Convent Road of Haflong town, has been reported. 

Due to continuous rain, the Boro Lake was overflowing in Haflong Ramnagar and caused waterlogging in many parts of the hill town.

Several houses and approach roads in Haflong have also been damaged due to the rain-induced landslides. 

Restoration works are underway, with the administration and railway authorities working tirelessly to repair the damage. 

However, the restoration of train services may take several hours to days, depending on weather conditions and the extent of the damage. 

Despite temporary blockades due to minor landslides, roads such as Haflong-Lanka, Haflong–Lumding, remain open, providing some relief amidst the ongoing crisis. As the situation unfolds, communities in Haflong and Dima Hasao district brace for further challenges posed by the relentless rains.