Published: June 21,2014
A sinkhole that opened up last week in the wake of record-breaking
rainfall in the World Cup host city of Natal, Brazil continues to
expand, swallowing homes and cars and forcing the evacuation of 150
families.
More rain fell on the coastal city in three days last week—more than 13 inches worth—than the area usually sees in the entire month of June, sparking landslides, flash flooding and opening up the sinkhole four miles from the Arena das Dunas stadium in a hillside favela, according to the BBC. No one was killed or injured, the Associated Press reports.
The Associated Press also reports that some 150 families have been evacuated from the affected area. According to local news reports, some of those families are being sheltered by government agencies and local schools and churches.
No permanent plan has been established to relocate the families, but a presidential aide has arrived in the city to organize aid and housing for those affected. Integration Minister Francisco Teixeira told the Associated Press that establishing and providing aid to those displaced took precedent over stabilizing the sinkhole, but that a plan to contain the growing expanse was in the works. In the meantime, officials said they'll have to condemn and demolish any other homes that are threatened by the sinkhole if it continues to grow.
Natal will next host a match between Italy and Uruguay on Tuesday.
MORE: Hail Interrupts Belgium's World Cup Warm-up Game
More rain fell on the coastal city in three days last week—more than 13 inches worth—than the area usually sees in the entire month of June, sparking landslides, flash flooding and opening up the sinkhole four miles from the Arena das Dunas stadium in a hillside favela, according to the BBC. No one was killed or injured, the Associated Press reports.
The Associated Press also reports that some 150 families have been evacuated from the affected area. According to local news reports, some of those families are being sheltered by government agencies and local schools and churches.
No permanent plan has been established to relocate the families, but a presidential aide has arrived in the city to organize aid and housing for those affected. Integration Minister Francisco Teixeira told the Associated Press that establishing and providing aid to those displaced took precedent over stabilizing the sinkhole, but that a plan to contain the growing expanse was in the works. In the meantime, officials said they'll have to condemn and demolish any other homes that are threatened by the sinkhole if it continues to grow.
Natal will next host a match between Italy and Uruguay on Tuesday.
MORE: Hail Interrupts Belgium's World Cup Warm-up Game
Belgium vs Tunisia Hailstorm
The players leave the pitch because of a hail
storm during the FIFA 2014 World Cup friendly football match Belgium vs
Tunisia at the King Baudouin Stadium, in Brussels. (JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty
Images)
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