A road collapse in Chennai, India thankfully ended without reported injuries after a car dropped into a sinkhole on Old Mahabalipuram Road near Tidel Park.
Here's what to know
Footage shared by The Hindu (@the_hindu) on Instagram showed the vehicle swallowed by the cave-in on the busy arterial road.
According to The Hindu, part of Old Mahabalipuram Road in Chennai gave way, opening up a deep sinkhole beneath the roadway. The video showed a car flipping over as it fell completely into the newly opened hole.
Both people in the vehicle were unharmed, though the collapse disrupted traffic on the route, per The Hindu.
What commenters had to say
While the footage's stunning nature helped it attract widespread attention, many comments were political.
"We pay tax for this," said one disgruntled commenter.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
"Who's govt in Chennai??" another Instagrammer asked rhetorically.
"Vijay Thalapathy should repair roads & infrastructure rather than only giving freebies," chimed in a third, referring to the actor-turned-politician.
How do sinkholes form?
According to the United States Geological Survey, "A sinkhole is a depression in the ground that has no natural external surface drainage."
"Basically, this means that when it rains, all of the water stays inside the sinkhole and typically drains into the subsurface," the USGS continued.
When sinkholes develop beneath human infrastructure such as roadways, they can become very dangerous. What appears to be solid ground can actually be a thin layer of surface materials concealing a sometimes vast hole in the ground.
"Sinkholes are dramatic because the land usually stays intact for a period of time until the underground spaces just get too big," the USGS said. "If there is not enough support for the land above the spaces, then a sudden collapse of the land surface can occur."
Are sinkholes becoming more prevalent?
Experts say sinkholes are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, largely due to human activities.
"Human interference in the shape of construction, mining, and climate change has increased the incidences of sinkholes globally," according to the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia.
Scientists have linked rising temperatures to a higher prevalence of sinkholes. One study cited by the IPWEA found that, in Florida, every 0.1 degree Celsius increase in average temperatures results in 1% to 3% more sinkholes.
Where can I learn more?
The following articles look at sinkholes, buckling pavement, and the forces putting more stress on roads.
• In southern Illinois, a hundred-foot-wide sinkhole suddenly opened beneath a soccer field.
• Engineers warn a pothole plague is worsening as climate stresses keep damaging roads and cars.
• During a heat wave, the road exploded upward and sent a driver airborne.
• In Clarksville, sinkholes are swallowing a backyard and nearly injuring a homeowner's husband.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
