Guwahati, June 28 -- A 300-metre iron bridge over the Kemi River in Assam's Dhemaji district was washed away by floodwaters on Sunday, severing road connectivity between the Kemi-Purana Jelom area and Jonai Sadar.

According to local residents, the bridge connecting Kemi and Oyan collapsed after the river swelled rapidly following heavy inflows from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

A resident said the river's water level began rising sharply around 11 am and intensified within minutes. By about 11.30 am, the overflowing river had swept away the bridge.

Residents alleged that they had raised concerns during the construction of the bridge, arguing that an iron structure would not withstand the Kemi River's strong monsoon currents. They cla...