On Saturday afternoon, the Civil Defense imposed closures on two houses and a 34-apartment building following the emergence of a new crater on Rua Felisbina de Souza Machado in the Jardim Imperial neighborhood of São José dos Campos. The agency indicated that these measures were essential to ensure the safety of local residents, as the area is currently under monitoring. Residents will only be allowed to return home after thorough inspections and approval from the authorities.

This latest crater appeared just eleven days after another significant hole formed on the same street, which had previously swallowed a truck. The new hole, approximately 300 meters away from the first, opened in the midst of rainfall around 4:30 PM on Saturday, causing the asphalt to collapse and impacting both lanes of the road. By 7 PM, municipal agents had managed to isolate the crater, although it remained unstable and was actively caving in, with a utility pole being consumed by the ground.

The event has raised concerns about geological stability in the area, especially given the recent history of sinkholes. This incident underscores the importance of effective urban monitoring and emergency response strategies to protect residents from further incidents. The ongoing situation emphasizes the crucial role that local authorities play in managing these natural hazards and ensuring public safety, further highlighting the potential need for infrastructural assessments in regions prone to such geological activity.