A house at Aongza Ward, Mokokchung, was partially destroyed on the night of September 14 at around 8:00 PM after heavy rainfall triggered a landslip, displacing the family and leaving their belongings buried under debris.
According to the owner, Ayutemjen Chungtia, 51, water began gushing out from the kitchen floor around 8:00 PM on Sunday. While the family was trying to remove the water using jugs and buckets, the ground beneath the house began shifting, forcing them to flee immediately.
“Only two minutes later, the ground gave way, dragging the lower portion of the house down with it,” Ayutemjen recounted.
He said the water problem had started earlier this month during the rainy season but had worsened on Sunday night.
“The water started popping out of the kitchen earlier this month during the rainy season but not too much. But last night, when we took out the carpet, the water was coming out heavily and intensely,” he said.
Ayutemjen reported that four rooms, consisting of three bedrooms and a kitchen, were swept away, and property worth about Rs 10 lakh was destroyed.
“We are now resting in our neighbor’s place. We rested there last night and we will do it today as well,” he added.
Expressing concern over their future, Ayutemjen, who is a daily wage labourer, said, “I will have to build a home here on this land. The land has been carried away. Where will I build the house? But I will have to build the house only here in whatever is left.”
His son, Supongnechet, said he managed to recover some documents this morning but lost important items including his PAN card, Aadhaar card, and ATM card that were in his wallet.
Ayutemjen lives with his wife and four children.
He expressed gratitude to those who came to their aid, including the District Administration, Mokokchung Municipal Council councillor Imtiyapang, the personal secretary of Minister Metsubo, the Indian Red Cross Society, media personnel, Chungtia bodies, neighbours and other well-wishers.