Five years after its sudden appearance in the community of Santa Mar\u00eda Zacatepec, within the municipality of Juan Cris\u00f3stomo Bonilla, Puebla, the massive sinkhole that captured international attention remains active\u2014and experts say its diameter will keep expanding. <\/p>\n
Mar\u00eda Elena Raynal Guti\u00e9rrez, a professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Universidad Popular Aut\u00f3noma de Puebla (UPAEP), explained that the agricultural land is undergoing constant erosion. \u201cWe are starting to lose the topsoil, which is the most fertile. Now, when it rains, the soil washes into the underground river that runs through this area; surely, we will see it grow until it reaches stable ground,\u201d she detailed. <\/p>\n
While the state\u2019s Secretariat of Environment has not reported significant recent changes, local authorities have confirmed that the sinkhole\u2019s size has increased beyond its original 21,888 square meters with a depth of 40 meters. In response, Dr. Eduardo Ismael Hern\u00e1ndez urged authorities to maintain constant monitoring through underground hydrology studies to prevent risks related to groundwater and rainfall. <\/p>\n
Today, the sinkhole resembles a natural pond inhabited by ducks and birds. However, residents have reported neglect of the safety perimeter, as much of the protective fencing has been removed, leaving the area unprotected. <\/p>\n
A previous report from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) attributed the phenomenon to a combination of erosive volcanic soils, increased rainfall, and intensive groundwater extraction. At the time, Nahua collectives held the Bonafont bottling plant responsible, whose operations ceased following social mobilizations. <\/p>\n
To date, the formation of smaller sinkholes has become a more frequent occurrence in various parts of Puebla, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges that demand attention and sustainable solutions. <\/p>\n
This situation underscores the importance of proactive infrastructure and environmental policies\u2014such as expanding sustainable public transport options like cable cars or aerial trams\u2014that can reduce environmental strain and promote equitable development in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n