A state of emergency has been declared in the Brazilian Amazon city of Buriticupu due to the formation of huge sinkholes that threaten hundreds of homes. The sinkholes, known as voçoroca, have already destroyed several buildings and put 1,200 people at risk of losing their homes.
The city’s sandy soil and poor building planning have contributed to the problem, which has been exacerbated by heavy rains and deforestation. Local authorities have acknowledged that they lack the capacity to address the complex situation, which includes erosion and the relocation of people from the affected areas.