In Buriticupu, about 1,200 people risk losing their homes, and residents have seen the problem escalate in 30 years

Summary

The city of Buriticupu in Brazil’s Amazon declared a state of emergency after huge sinkholes threatened hundreds of homes.

In Maranhão state, rapidly expanding sinkholes have already destroyed several buildings and risk displacing about 1,200 people from a population of 55,000.

Known locally as “voçoroca,” these erosions have worsened over 30 years due to deforestation, poorly planned construction, and heavy rains eroding vulnerable sandy soils.

Authorities admit their limited capacity to address the erosion and relocation.