Buriticupu, a city in Brazil’s Amazon region, has declared a state of emergency after massive sinkholes began destroying buildings and putting about 1,200 people at risk of losing their homes.
The problem, which has worsened over the last 30 years, is caused by heavy rains, sandy soil, deforestation, and poor urban planning. Authorities say the sinkholes are growing larger and getting dangerously close to residential areas.
These giant soil erosions, called voçoroca in Brazil, mean “to tear the earth” in an Indigenous language. The situation worsens during rainy periods, like the current season, as water washes away the already fragile soil. Residents fear more sinkholes could open unexpectedly, threatening their safety.
One local, Antonia dos Anjos, has lived in Buriticupu for 22 years and worries about what might happen next. “There’s this danger right in front of us, and nobody knows where the next hole will appear,” she said.
City officials admit they do not have the resources to solve the problem alone. Engineer Lucas Conceição, from Buriticupu’s public works department, said the challenges include both controlling erosion and relocating families in danger. With the situation worsening, residents and officials are hoping for urgent help before more homes are lost.
