Guwahati, May 31: Relentless flooding across Assam and Meghalaya has severely disrupted transportation and claimed a life, as key stretches of National Highway 17 (NH-17) were washed away in Boko and Chaygaon, cutting off road connectivity between Tura and Guwahati.
One of the worst-affected zones was the Shingra Reserve Forest area near Boko, around 70 km from Guwahati, where a newly constructed portion of NH-17 collapsed under the force of floodwaters. The damage left scores of trucks and heavy vehicles stranded, while smaller vehicles were forced to detour through Bongaigaon.
Locals in the Singra area blamed ongoing highway widening works, particularly the culvert installations, for weakening the roadbed. “The culverts couldn’t withstand the surge of water,” said one resident.
Boko revenue circle officer Divas Bardoloi said repair work was underway and that light vehicles, ambulances, and passenger buses were being allowed to pass through alternate village roads.
Stranded drivers reported harsh conditions. A trucker transporting plywood from West Bengal to Agartala said he had been stuck in the forest zone for over 16 hours with no access to food or basic facilities.
NH-17 is a critical 477-kilometre route maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), connecting West Bengal to Assam’s capital and serving as a key transit link for the Northeast.
In a separate incident in Chaygaon, floodwaters from the Kalahi River eroded both ends of a bridge on NH-17, further severing transport routes in Kamrup district. District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra inspected the site and assured that repairs were being expedited.
Tragedy also struck near the Assam–Meghalaya border, where 26-year-old Epish N. Sangma drowned in the Gijang River (Singra River), a tributary of the Brahmaputra. The incident occurred at Maspara village in the Rambrai-Jyngram constituency while Sangma was fishing with his brother-in-law. He was swept away by the strong current while attempting to cross the river.
Meghalaya Police, aided by villagers, later recovered his body. Local MLA R.G. Momin visited the family to offer condolences.
With rainfall continuing across the region, rivers in Kamrup and Goalpara districts remain swollen. Authorities warn of further infrastructure damage and have urged residents in low-lying areas to stay alert.
