A state of emergency has been declared in the city of Buriticupu, located in the northeastern Brazilian Amazon, due to the rapid expansion of ground collapses. This was reported by Reuters, citing local authorities.
According to officials, soil collapses have significantly expanded in recent months and now pose a threat to residential areas. “The size of the sinkholes has increased exponentially, coming dangerously close to homes,” the official statement said.
Approximately 1,200 people are at risk of losing their homes, and several buildings have already been destroyed. The main causes of the disaster are cited as soil erosion due to heavy rainfall, as well as the negative effects of poor urban planning and widespread deforestation. Residents of Buriticupu have been dealing with this issue for nearly 30 years, but the situation has worsened dramatically in recent times.
