In the northeastern region of the Brazilian Amazon, the city of Buriticupu is facing a gradual disappearance into the earth as massive sinkholes, several meters deep, have emerged, prompting the local government to announce a state of emergency.
Around 1,200 residents out of a total population of 55,000 are in danger of seeing their homes fall into the expanding sinkholes. Recent reports from the city government highlight the alarming growth of these sinkholes towards residential areas, causing the destruction of several buildings.
The sinkhole issue in Buriticupu, located in Maranhao state, has been unfolding over the past 30 years due to soil erosion aggravated by sandy terrain, inadequate urban planning, and deforestation. Referred to as "voçoroca" in Brazil, these large soil erosions have become a serious concern, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall, according to geographer and professor Marcelino Farias from the Federal University of Maranhao.
Residents like Antonia dos Anjos, a 65-year-old resident of Buriticupu for 22 years, express deep concerns over the ongoing danger posed by sinkholes, with fears that more could surface. Lucas Conceicao, the secretary of public works and an engineer in Buriticupu, acknowledges the municipality's limited capacity to address the complex sinkhole problem, ranging from erosion issues to the relocation of individuals at risk.