Massive Sinkhole Devours Farmland In Indonesia, Farmers Fear More Collapse | Watch

Last Updated:February 16, 2026, 18:57 IST

Drone visuals show a vast crater cutting through crop fields as farmers seek compensation and authorities warn the ground is still shifting.

A massive sinkhole in Indonesia’s Central Aceh Regency has widened to roughly three hectares, threatening farms and livelihoods as shifting soil continues to trigger landslides, according to local authorities. Drone visuals from Ketol district show a vast crater slicing through cultivated fields, with steep, exposed cliffs marking the expanding edge.

Forty-year-old farmer Sumiati said her chilli farm has been devastated and future planting remains uncertain. “We really hope that the government will provide us with compensation for our losses or find us more land because all of ours has been destroyed and we can no longer plant anything. It is uncertain whether we will be able to plant anything next year," she was quoted as saying by Reuters on Sunday.

Another farmer, Suprapto, described how the rim continues to shift even without rainfall.

“So, whether it rains or not, landslides still occur here. The soil here has no rocks, and sometimes when a landslide occurs, it is accompanied by a rumbling sound just like an earthquake… yesterday it was about 15 metres, now it’s only 10 to 11 metres," he said, urging authorities to act quickly because the area supports hundreds of agricultural workers.

Central Aceh Regent Haili Yoga said the ground instability dates back years but accelerated after major flooding in late 2025. “When the earthquake occurred in 2013, this landslide had already happened, and after November 26, 2025, its movement became faster," he was quoted as saying by Reuters. He added that data on losses to coffee, chilli and other crops has been submitted to the central government and guidelines for relief are awaited.

Geologists say the underlying mix of volcanic tuff and sand absorbs groundwater easily, weakening slopes and making sudden collapse more likely. Experts warn the formation shows classic sinkhole-type behaviour and could continue expanding unless water flow is controlled.

Why Sinkholes Form?

Sinkholes typically occur when underground material dissolves or erodes, leaving a void that eventually collapses. They are most common in:

Have Similar Sinkholes Appeared In Indonesia Before?

Earlier on November 25, 2025, a major ground collapse near the Twin Bridges area in West Sumatra caused a section of roadway to cave in, creating a gap estimated at around 20 to 30 metres wide, according to regional media reports. The collapse, which occurred after days of intense rainfall and flooding, severed transport links and left the road impassable.

On February 11, 2026, a massive sinkhole appeared in southern China and drew global attention after the video of the incident went viral, showing the sudden ground collapse.

News world Massive Sinkhole Devours Farmland In Indonesia, Farmers Fear More Collapse | Watch

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