ISLAMABAD: A massive sinkhole suddenly appeared in the middle of a busy road in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after a large section of the road caved in following heavy monsoon rains, disrupting traffic and alarming residents.
According to India Today and NDTV, the road collapsed without any warning, creating a deep crater that forced authorities to immediately seal off the affected stretch and divert traffic to alternate routes.
Videos circulating on social media show a large hole that occupies a significant portion of the roadway, with police barricades placed around the site to prevent accidents.
Indian media reported that the crater formed after continuous rainfall weakened the ground beneath the road, exposing concerns over the city's drainage system and the quality of road construction.
Residents told reporters that water had accumulated on the road for several days before the collapse.
Officials from the Kanpur Municipal Corporation and the Public Works Department reached the site soon after the incident and began assessing the damage.
They said repair work would start after ensuring the stability of the surrounding area and identifying the cause of the cave-in.
According to India Today, no casualties or injuries were reported as the road gave way before any vehicle entered the affected section.
NDTV also reported that civic authorities have launched an investigation into whether a failure of an underground drain or sewer line contributed to the collapse.
The incident has sparked criticism from residents and opposition leaders, who questioned the durability of recently constructed roads and demanded accountability for alleged negligence in infrastructure maintenance.
The sinkhole has become the latest example of monsoon-related infrastructure failures in Uttar Pradesh, where heavy rains have damaged roads, drainage networks and public utilities in several cities during the current rainy season.
Congress, in a post on X, ridiculed the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh, saying, “The BJP government has arranged a waterfall in Kanpur, UP. This waterfall, right in the middle of the road, has been constructed using Japanese technology. What do you think of this splendid work by the BJP government?”