Giant expanding sinkhole devours Indonesian farmland, threatens livelihoods

Record ID: 2340546

  • Title: Giant expanding sinkhole devours Indonesian farmland, threatens livelihoods
  • Date: 15th February 2026
  • Summary: CENTRAL ACEH REGENCY, ACEH PROVINCE, INDONESIA (FEBRUARY 14, 2026) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF GIANT SINKHOLE AND SURROUNDING FARMLAND CENTRAL ACEH REGENCY, ACEH PROVINCE, INDONESIA (FEBRUARY 15, 2026) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF 40-YEAR-OLD FARMER, SUMIATI, AT HER CHILLI FARM CHILLI TREE AT FARM (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) 40-YEAR-OLD FARMER, SUMIATI SAYING: "We
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Aceh Indonesia Landslides accident chilli disaster farm farming sinkhole
  • Location: CENTRAL ACEH REGENCY, ACEH PROVINCE, INDONESIA
  • City: CENTRAL ACEH REGENCY, ACEH PROVINCE, INDONESIA
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Disaster/Accidents
  • Reuters ID: LVA001563915022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A massive sinkhole in Indonesia's Central Aceh Regency has widened to roughly three hectares this year, according to the Aceh Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, threatening the livelihoods of local farmers.
    Authorities say the ground continues shifting due to persistent landslides and long‑term soil movement.
    Drone footage on Saturday (February 14) revealed steep, fractured cliffs cutting through crop fields in the Ketol district.
    At her chilli farm, Sumiati said on Sunday (February 15) that her land has been destroyed and future planting is uncertain. "We really hope that the government will provide us with compensation for our losses," she said.
    Suprapto, another local farmer, said that the rim shifted several metres within a day, as he stood behind a safety barrier near the sinkhole set up to prevent residents from getting too close to the edge.
    Geological assessments say the underlying tuff and sand absorb groundwater easily, making the slopes prone to sudden collapse—conditions clearly visible in the exposed cliff faces. 
    Central Aceh Regent, Haili Yoga, said on Sunday that the sinkhole's expansion sped up sharply after the mass flooding of late 2025.
    He added that agricultural loss data has been submitted to the central government.
    Experts warn the collapse shows sinkhole‑like behaviour and may keep expanding unless water flow is controlled.
    (Production: Heru Asprihanto)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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