Over 40 families displaced at Pezielietsie Colony
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 31
26 houses were completely damaged and over 40 families displaced at Pezielietsie Colony, Kohima on July 31 due to a major landslide caused by heavy rains. The colony is one of the worst hit areas in Kohima.
"The landslide has affected 18 more houses which are being dismantled today. This will amount to a total of 50 families being affected by the landslide, so far," said Keduolhoulie Chiese, Chairman, Pezielietsie Colony Welfare Board.
In a desperate attempt to salvage their belongings, affected families, braving heavy downpour, were seen transporting their belongings along steep pathways.
"All our properties fell in the landslide and we are trying to collect and gather as much as we can," said a resident, while waiting under a shed for trucks to transport her belongings. The area, according to colony residents, is said to have started sinking since June, while the major landslide took place on Saturday due to continuous heavy rain.
“We have lived here for over twenty years and today we are moving,” said a couple while collecting their old family trunks from their damaged rented home.
While some have sought temporary shelter with relatives and friends, neighbours have also welcomed displaced residents to their homes. "For those who have not found any shelter, we will be putting up some makeshift camps today," informed Chiese.
The area is mostly populated by the working class and students from other districts living in rented houses. "Because the house rent is cheaper here, most of the students from rural areas prefer to stay here," said one resident.
According to Chiese, a landslide occurred last year on October 18, affecting 13 houses. However due to the onset of the dry winter season, the subsidence stopped.
"Several government departments, colony welfare board and the colony youth are volunteering to help the residents collect their properties," informed Chiese.
The colony had made the government aware of the landslide danger last year, with a proposal sent to the DC and the NSDMA. But a source informed that no action was reportedly taken. Despite the gradual subsidence in the area, some residents remain adamant to rebuild their houses here. “We have nowhere else to go, so we are staying,” they said.
