A 300-meter iron bridge over the Kemi River in Assam's Dhemaji district was washed away by floodwaters on June 28, 2024 [1].
The collapse of the bridge severs a critical transport link, leaving thousands of residents stranded and cutting off road connectivity between the Kemi-Purana Jelom area and Jonai Sadar [2].
Intense monsoon rains across South Asia triggered the severe flooding that overwhelmed the bridge structure [3]. The Kemi River, which connects Kemi and Oyan, reached levels that the iron bridge could not withstand, leading to its total destruction [4].
Local residents in the Kemi-Purana Jelom region now face significant isolation from the larger Jonai Sadar hub [2]. The loss of the 300-meter [1] span removes the primary means of transit for thousands [2] of people who rely on the crossing for daily movement, and essential services.
Regional reports indicate that the floodwaters swept the structure away entirely [4]. This event is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events affecting the region, where heavy rains have consistently challenged the integrity of local infrastructure [3].
“A 300-meter iron bridge over the Kemi River in Assam's Dhemaji district was washed away by floodwaters.”
The destruction of the Kemi River bridge highlights the vulnerability of rural infrastructure in Northeast India to intensifying monsoon patterns. When a single point of failure like a 300-meter bridge collapses, entire communities lose access to healthcare, markets, and emergency services, exacerbating the humanitarian impact of seasonal flooding.
