For three days, residents of Men Kathar village in Karbi Anglong district found themselves cut off from the outside world after relentless monsoon rains washed away the bamboo bridge that serves as the village’s only link to neighbouring areas. Built and maintained by the community itself, the fragile structure disappeared under the swollen river, bringing daily life to a standstill.
The ordeal in Men Kathar reflects the wider devastation caused by this year’s floods across Assam, where weeks of torrential rain inundated villages, destroyed roads and bridges, damaged livelihoods, and displaced thousands of families.
The floods have claimed more than 80 lives across the state, while repeated spells of heavy rainfall have exposed the vulnerability of rural communities that continue to depend on temporary infrastructure for basic connectivity.
For Men Kathar, the loss of its bamboo bridge meant far more than an inconvenience—it severed the village’s only access route and disrupted the work of the local Rural Women Entrepreneurs (RWE) group at a critical time.
Hana Taropi, Cluster Leader of Men Kathar, recalled the uncertainty that gripped the community.
“When the river flooded and the bamboo bridge was washed away, we feared we would not be able to bring the roller machine to our village. The machine had to be kept in a shop on the other side of the river, and we waited until late at night for the water level to recede so we could return home safely. Early the next morning, after rebuilding a temporary bamboo bridge together, two to three community members carefully carried the machine across the river. It was not easy, but we knew how important this machine was for processing our tea.”
For the Rural Women Entrepreneurs of Men Kathar, the roller machine is far more than a piece of equipment. It is a vital asset that allows them to process freshly harvested green tea leaves into a higher-value product, strengthening household incomes and creating new livelihood opportunities. Without it, their work—and the income it generates—comes to an abrupt halt.
Once the floodwaters receded, villagers came together once again to rebuild the bamboo bridge using locally available materials. The collective effort restored access to the village, but only temporarily. Residents remain uncertain whether the rebuilt structure can withstand the weight of heavy equipment or survive another spell of intense monsoon rain.
For Priya Engtipi, Senior Field Officer at equifarmtea, the episode was a reminder not only of the physical hardships confronting the community but also of the extraordinary resilience with which they respond.
“Watching the community come together to make this happen was deeply moving. It reminded me that these women are not just building businesses; they are overcoming immense challenges with courage, resilience, and the support of their community.”
Men Kathar was not the only village affected by the heavy rains. In Angjok Tokbi, floodwaters entered homes, damaging household belongings and completely submerging tea gardens, leaving many families to assess significant losses.
Elsewhere, road connectivity has deteriorated across several clusters. In Mahiram Bey Chekso, continuous rainfall has severely damaged the approach road, making it impassable for scooters and cars.
In Bijuli, Dolamara, muddy and slippery roads have created hazardous conditions for residents attempting to travel in and out of the village.
Although access to Men Kathar has now been restored, the rebuilt bamboo bridge remains a temporary solution. With the monsoon far from over, villagers continue to watch the river anxiously, knowing that another bout of heavy rain could once again sweep away their only connection to the outside world.
Their experience is a stark reminder that, for many remote communities in Assam, resilience has become a necessity—but it cannot be a substitute for permanent infrastructure. A durable bridge across the river remains a longstanding need, one that grows more urgent with every monsoon.
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