Landslide Once Again Disrupts Rail Services in Dima Hasao

Rail connectivity on the Lumding–Badarpur hill section in Assam’s Dima Hasao district faced another setback late on Sunday night due to a fresh landslide near the 50/2 km mark between Dihakho and Mupa stations. This marks the latest in a series of disruptions that have affected this landslide-prone area since June 23, 2025.

The region has been particularly vulnerable to landslides during the monsoon season. A major landslide on June 23 between Jatinga Lampur and New Haflong (108/7-8 km) led to the suspension of train services for a week. Though services were restored on June 30, another landslide on July 3 near Mupa forced another halt in operations. Trains briefly resumed on Friday, but continuous heavy rainfall has triggered fresh landslides, further jeopardizing rail connectivity in the region.

Due to the recent disruption, several trains are now stranded at different stations. These include the Kanchanjunga Express (Sealdah–Sabroom) halted at Lumding, the Guwahati–Silchar Express at Manderdisa, the Agartala–Rani Kamalapati Express at Maibang, and the Silchar–Rangiya Express at New Haflong. The inconvenience has affected hundreds of passengers, many of whom are stranded in remote hill stations without alternative transportation.

To address the crisis, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has taken swift action. According to an NFR official, arrangements have been made to provide food and essential amenities to the affected passengers. Help desks have been set up at major stations, including Kamakhya, Guwahati, Lumding, New Haflong, Badarpur, Silchar, and Agartala, to provide assistance and updates to travellers.

The restoration work is currently underway on a war footing. Railway officials and emergency response teams are working to clear the debris, assess infrastructure damage, and reinforce vulnerable spots to prevent further incidents. Officials have stated that passenger safety and infrastructure stability are the top priorities. With the monsoon rains continuing, the situation remains volatile, and further disruptions cannot be ruled out.

The Lumding–Badarpur hill section is a critical rail route connecting Barak Valley and Tripura with the rest of Assam and the country. Disruptions on this route impact not just passenger movement but also freight and essential supplies to the northeastern states. As such, maintaining operational continuity is of strategic importance.

This repeated disruption highlights the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure in the Northeast. Landslides in hilly areas during monsoons are not uncommon, and railway tracks in vulnerable zones require better slope protection, advanced monitoring systems, and timely evacuation plans.

In summary, a fresh landslide near Mupa has once again disrupted train services in Dima Hasao, stranding multiple trains and passengers. The NFR is actively managing relief and restoration efforts, but continued rain poses ongoing challenges. The incident underlines the necessity for long-term preventive measures to ensure safe and uninterrupted rail operations in this vital northeastern corridor.