Silchar: Relentless rainfall battered Assam’s Barak Valley on Friday, triggering landslides, urban flooding, and widespread disruption in rail and road connectivity across several districts. One person died of electrocution in Sribhumi district, while train services under the NFR were partially disrupted after landslides and debris hit railway tracks.A landslide struck the Silchar-Lumding railway section at Panchgram in Hailakandi district, temporarily halting train movement. NFR authorities launched restoration work on a war footing and cleared the affected stretch within hours, though several trains ran behind schedule. In another incident, an electric pole collapsed on the track between Ditokcherra and Chandranathpur stations, disrupting services for nearly three hours.In Sribhumi, Mantosh Das, a resident of Chorakuri, died after allegedly coming in contact with a snapped live wire while cycling through a waterlogged road. The incident sparked outrage among locals, who blamed authorities for negligence in maintaining electrical infrastructure during the monsoon.Heavy rainfall also triggered multiple landslides in Dima Hasao district. A major slide near Dolaichungga in Harangajao blocked vehicular movement on the crucial Haflong-Silchar road for several hours, leaving passenger and goods vehicles stranded. The road was later reopened for light vehicles after debris clearance. Residents alleged that extensive hill cutting linked to ongoing highway construction had weakened slopes and contributed to the collapse.Large parts of Silchar town remained submerged throughout the day as incessant rain caused severe waterlogging in Bilpar, Radhamadhab Road, Vivekananda Road, Link Road, Church Road, Shillongpatty, National Highway Road, Hailakandi Road, Sonai Road, and Ashram Road areas. Knee-deep water inundated roads and entered homes and shops, crippling daily life.Residents blamed recurring flooding on poor drainage and inadequate desilting of drains. In a scene that drew sharp public reaction, locals were seen carrying a body to a crematorium through flooded Vivekananda Road, underscoring the extent of the civic crisis.Fresh landslides were also reported from Badarpur and adjoining hill areas in Sribhumi district. In Srinagar area under Badarpur police station, a portion of a hill collapsed onto the house of Kajalrani Dey. Though no casualties were reported, parts of the house were damaged. Another landslide occurred in Bagligol, triggering panic among residents living near vulnerable slopes.Officials said restoration work was underway in all affected areas and the administration was closely monitoring the situation as rain continued across the valley.
