Civil Defense in São José dos Campos, Brazil, has officially permitted residents to return to a building containing 34 apartments that had been evacuated due to the opening of a crater in the Jardim Imperial neighborhood. The decision came after the crater was effectively closed on Sunday morning, when some residents began to return shortly thereafter. This action follows a week-long prohibition that left a total of 156 people displaced, including those from four nearby houses that are still closed off due to safety concerns.

While residents are now allowed back into the apartment building, the situation for those in the nearby houses remains uncertain, as there is no established timeline for when they will be permitted to return. The recent geological instability has raised concerns about safety in the area, emphasizing the ongoing need for monitoring from the Civil Defense. Many of the displaced residents are evidently anxious to return to their homes, but the authorities are prioritizing safety over haste in facilitating these returns.

The municipality has yet to provide an updated count of the displaced persons since the beginning of the crisis, indicating a potential gap in communication with the affected individuals. This case highlights the challenge of balancing timely responses to emergencies with the imperative of ensuring public safety, especially in regions prone to natural disruptions like landslides or sinkholes.