The city of Buriticupu, located in the northeastern Brazilian Amazon, is facing an escalating crisis as massive sinkholes continue to threaten homes and infrastructure. In response, the municipal government has declared a state of emergency, with approximately 1,200 residents at risk of displacement.

Recent weeks have seen a significant increase in the size and depth of these sinkholes, some measuring several meters. According to an emergency decree issued by the city, the erosion has been accelerating rapidly, inching dangerously closer to residential areas and already causing the destruction of several buildings.

The issue, which has been developing for over three decades, is exacerbated by heavy rains, deforestation, and unregulated construction. The region’s sandy soil is highly vulnerable to erosion, creating large chasms known locally as "voçoroca," a term of indigenous origin meaning "to tear the earth." Experts warn that these formations worsen during the rainy season, making the situation even more precarious.

Longtime resident Antonia dos Anjos, 65, expressed deep concern over the uncertainty of the terrain. "There's this danger right in front of us, and nobody knows where this hole has been opening up underneath," she said.

Municipal authorities acknowledge the difficulty of managing the crisis. Buriticupu’s secretary of public works, Lucas Conceicao, stated that the city lacks the resources to effectively address the problem, which involves both geological stabilization and relocating at-risk families.

As the erosion continues, local and federal intervention will be crucial to preventing further devastation in Buriticupu.