Reports from the local area suggest that a mysterious sinkhole wreaked havoc in a village in southern England, leading to the evacuation of dozens of residents and the swallowing of at least one garden. The sinkhole emerged in the village of Godstone in Surrey, located about 18 miles south of London, and rapidly grew to approximately 20 meters or 65 feet by midday on Tuesday.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, sinkholes are ground depressions lacking natural external surface drainage. Any water, such as rainwater, that encounters a sinkhole remains trapped within it, seeping into the underground layers. Subsequently, the situation has been classified as a “major incident” by local authorities, as reported by Reuters.
Residents like Rez Mira and his family were forced to evacuate the vicinity due to the sinkhole. After spending the night with relatives, they returned to discover their garden had collapsed, further adding to their distress. Similarly, Josh Neame, who was on the verge of settling into his new home, found himself evacuated and compelled to sleep in his vehicle.
Utility services, including water and electricity, were disrupted following a burst in a main water pipe caused by the sinkhole. While crews worked diligently to restore these services and ensure the safety of the area, investigations led by the Surrey County Council were underway to determine the root cause of the incident.
Evacuated individuals were advised to remain away from the affected area until the situation was fully resolved. Road closures and the evacuation of a few structures in the surrounding region were carried out as a precautionary measure, as highlighted by the BBC. Carl Bussey, a spokesperson for the SCC, assured that the Local Resilience Forum would continue to convene to expedite the resolution process and guarantee the safety of all involved.
Photos captured by drones displayed the extent of the damage caused by the sinkhole in the picturesque English village of Godstone, reflecting the magnitude of the challenge faced by the community in the wake of the unexpected disaster.
This article was originally featured on USA TODAY, showcasing the video and photographic evidence depicting the significant impact of the sinkhole incident in the English village.
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