NH-27 Blocked, Trains Cancelled: How Dima Hasao Landslide Has Paralyzed NE

A massive landslide between Haflong and Jatinga in Assam’s Dima Hasao district has brought traffic movement along National Highway 27 (NH-27) near Lumding to a complete halt for the past five days, leaving thousands of trucks and commercial vehicles stranded. The continuous rainfall and stormy weather have caused widespread flooding and landslides, crippling vital road and rail connectivity across the region.

NH-27 Blocked: Thousands Stranded Without Supplies

The affected stretch of NH-27—crucial for connecting Lumding to Silchar and Agartala—has become impassable, severely disrupting the transport of essential goods and services. Drivers and handymen, many of whom have been living inside their trucks for days, are battling food and water shortages amid harsh weather.

On Wednesday, Lumding Police provided drinking water to the stranded truckers, some of whom expressed deep frustration over the lack of communication from district authorities. “Life has come to a halt,” said one driver. “We don’t even know when help will arrive.”

Rail Connectivity Severed: Restoration Works Underway

Simultaneously, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is racing to restore rail services along the Lumding–Badarpur Hill section, which was disrupted by a major landslide. Approximately 100 meters of railway track have been damaged following the failure of a slope located just 15 meters from the track, exacerbated by relentless rainfall.

A high-level emergency meeting was held on June 24, 2025, chaired by the Chief Secretary of Assam and attended by top officials from NFR, NHAI, and other key agencies. A coordinated restoration plan has been initiated, with more than 25 heavy machines—including JCBs, excavators, and dumpers—and around 200 workers deployed at the site.

Despite round-the-clock operations monitored by senior NFR officials, including the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding, the situation remains precarious due to unstable soil movement and continuous rains. Stabilizing the hill slope and clearing over 25,000 cubic meters of debris are the immediate priorities, after which long-term slope protection measures will be undertaken.

Train Services Cancelled and Partially Cancelled

As a safety measure, the NFR has announced multiple train cancellations and partial cancellations. Passengers are urged to check official updates before traveling.

Train Cancellations (25–27 June 2025):

• 25–26 June:

  • 15611/15612 Rangiya–Silchar–Rangiya Express

  • 15615 Guwahati–Silchar Express

  • 20502 Anand Vihar Terminal–Agartala Tejas Rajdhani Express

  • 12514 Silchar–Secunderabad Express

  • 15617 Guwahati–Dullabcherra Express

• 26–27 June:

  • 15616 Silchar–Guwahati Express

  • 15618 Dullabcherra–Guwahati Express

  • 05628 Agartala–Guwahati Special

  • 05639 Silchar–Kolkata Express

• 27 June:

  • 05627 Guwahati–Agartala Special

  • 05640 Kolkata–Silchar Special

Partial Cancellations:

• 25 June:

  • 13175 Sealdah–Silchar Kaziranga Express (short-terminated at Lumding)

• 26 June:

  • 13174 Sabroom–Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express (short-originated from Lumding)

  • 12508 Silchar–Thiruvananthapuram Express (short-originated from Guwahati)

  • 12520 Agartala–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express (short-originated from Kamakhya)

  • 14619 Agartala–Firozpur Express (short-originated from Guwahati)

• 23–27 June:

  • 07030 Charlapalli–Agartala Special (23 June, short-terminated at Guwahati)

  • 07029 Agartala–Charlapalli Special (27 June, short-originated from Guwahati)

  • 12503 SMVT Bengaluru–Agartala Express (24 June, short-terminated at Guwahati)

Restoration Timeline and Passenger Advisory

Train services will remain suspended in the affected section until restoration is completed, with all-out efforts underway to resume connectivity within a week, weather permitting. The Northeast Frontier Railway has urged passengers to stay tuned to official updates via its website and social media channels.

Impact Beyond Infrastructure

The dual disruption of road and rail links has severely affected supply chains, especially for essential commodities reaching Barak Valley, Tripura, and parts of Mizoram and Manipur. The economic impact is expected to be substantial if the situation prolongs.

Also Read: "Stranded and Starving for Days": Truckers Cry for Help in Barak Valley