Chungtia village seeks urgent government action as landslides threaten over 50 families

CHUNGTIA — Chungtia Village in Mokokchung district is grappling with a severe landslide crisis triggered by incessant rains, threatening over 50 households with potential relocation.

The village, heavily impacted since late July 2025, has seen 20 houses damaged and more than 50 families affected till date, with properties worth lakhs of rupees lost, according to Chungtia Village Council Chairman Assamwati.

The chairman reported that massive land sinking and landslides have struck four key sectors—Yimkum, Yimlang, Razu, and Sabangya—disrupting internal connectivity and dragging vast stretches of land downward.

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Exacerbated by hilly terrain and monsoon intensity, Yimkum sector is the worst hit, with 11 houses already damaged and a 50-metre stretch of the main village road sinking approximately 10 feet recently.

Assamwati warned that without urgent mitigation, the Yimkum sector faces further devastation, potentially submerging a critical PWD road connecting Mangmetong, Satsü, Kinunger, and Aliba villages if the downpour continues.

“We have recently cleared uprooted trees at the PWD road; however, the earth is gradually sliding down, if the downpour continues there is a high risk of landslide that will affect the road,” the chairman said.

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“This is not the first time we’ve faced such a crisis,” he said, recalling a similar incident in July 2024 that destroyed seven houses and now turned parts of the village into a massive land-sinking zone, threatening more households.

Assamwati highlighted the dire situation for Chungtia village, which is predominantly a farming community, noting that the crisis, occurring during the harvest season, poses significant challenges for relocation.

“As farmers, relocating amidst this crisis is a huge challenge. We urge the government to address this matter with utmost seriousness,” he said, appealing for immediate intervention to prevent further loss.

The chairman also reported multiple earth cracks across the village, signalling the risk of additional landslides if mitigation measures are not implemented urgently.

Sangpangchang, EAC of Ongpangkong, who has visited Chungtia to assess the crisis, echoed similar concerns. During his latest visit on August 25, immediate relief of INR 3,000 was provided to each affected family.

He noted that landslides have severed internal connectivity, isolating parts of the village and putting families’ survival at stake if the downpour persists.

“The situation is perilous, with multiple locations affected and connectivity disrupted,” he said, describing the urgency of the crisis.

To address the disaster, he said that the district administration has submitted State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) forms detailing the extent of damage to higher authorities for further action.

Additionally, he said a letter from the Chungtia Village Council to the Geological Survey of India, facilitated by the district administration, has been sent to conduct a comprehensive survey to identify causes and propose mitigation measures.