Another sinkhole was discovered in the island province of Guimaras.
The presence of the new sinkhole in Sitio Nagub-an, Barangay Sta. Teresa, Jordan town was confirmed by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
EMB senior geologist Catherine R. Tapalla, in a press release, noted that the sinkhole measures four meters in diameter.
The sinkhole developed after an old well with hand pump collapsed five years ago, she explained.
“The depressed area at the small farmland in Sitio Nagub-an (near Crossing Dayong) where the old water well with hand pump is located is an example of a sinkhole. It signifies that dissolution of limestone/any calcareous rocks is occurring in the area,” an excerpt from the findings of the EMB.
The sinkhole formed 85 meters away from a segment of Sta. Teresa village that is susceptible to karst subsidence hazard.
Ground subsidence due to sinkholes is one of the hazards present in karst terrain.
Residents of a village in Jordan, Guimaras were advised to stay away from the sinkhole for their safety.
A sinkhole is a cavern beneath the ground or topsoil waiting for an earthquake or heavy rain to rupture.
EMB recommended the backfilling of the sinkhole to avoid accidents.
Meanwhile, a signage indicating the occurrence of subsidence will be placed in the area.
In 2016, at least 88 sinkholes were discovered in the town of Buenavista.IMT
