The dramatic rescue of a motorist from a sinkhole on a busy Singapore road, as reported by the BBC on August 1, has cast new light on an alarming trend across Asia – the increasing frequency and severity of sinkholes swallowing roads, vehicles, and in some cases entire buildings. The incident, which took place in late July, saw a black Mazda consumed by a 3-metre-deep cavity that opened beneath it.

Construction workers at a nearby site rushed to help the female driver, tossing her a rope and pulling her to safety within minutes. Their swift action drew widespread praise on social media, but beyond the heroism lies a troubling question: Why are sinkholes becoming more common in some of Asia’s most densely populated cities?

A worrying pattern

From China to Indonesia, and India to Japan, sinkholes are making increasingly regular appearances in headlines – and in urban infrastructure.

In Guangzhou, China, a massive sinkhole measuring over 12 metres in diameter swallowed two pedestrians in 2019, sparking national outcry. In Jakarta, Indonesia, multiple sinkholes have opened following heavy rainfall, with drainage and infrastructure strain blamed for the phenomenon. South Korea too has also seen its share, with Seoul reporting dozens of sinkholes in 2023 alone.

Meanwhile in Taiwan, dramatic footage of roads collapsing during typhoon season has become disturbingly common, as can be seen from footage on YouTube. In India, incidents have been recorded in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad – some of the country’s most crowded cities and often during the monsoon when floodwaters strain an ageing drainage system.

As such, Singapore, where land is limited and urbanisation intense, is just the latest in a region-wide pattern of subterranean collapse.

What causes sinkholes?

Sinkholes typically occur when water erodes the ground beneath the surface, often dissolving limestone or other soluble rock to create underground cavities. When the ground above can no longer support itself, it collapses into the void.

While natural geological processes have long caused sinkholes, the increased frequency in Asia appears to be linked to human activity – particularly rapid urban development, poor regulation and over-extraction of groundwater.

In many fast-growing Asian cities – and there are hundreds to choose from – rampant construction and inadequate urban planning have overstressed underground systems. The removal of groundwater for drinking and industrial use can also cause subsidence. Coupled with poorly maintained infrastructure such as leaky pipes and ineffective drainage, the risk compounds dramatically.

Climate change is adding further pressure. Intense and irregular rainfall, particularly during the monsoon, saturates and weakens already compromised ground structures. Urban areas covered in concrete limit natural absorption, forcing more water underground and into vulnerable spaces.

Singapore: a case in point

Singapore is widely regarded for its meticulous urban planning, yet even here the effects are being felt. The recent sinkhole incident that is making headlines will no doubt prompt city planners and safety authorities to reassess soil stability in construction zones.

Experts already say the collapse may have been triggered by underground erosion linked to nearby works – not uncommon in areas undergoing heavy development. The country’s dense road and transport systems, combined with construction-heavy zones, create potential hotspots for such structural failures.

Though investigations are still underway, early assessments suggest water seepage from drainage systems or construction activity may have undermined the surface integrity.

Vulnerability of workers

Ironically, the rescue also spotlighted the precarious position of Singapore’s low-wage migrant workers – many of whom live and work in hazardous conditions with minimal protections.

The construction site workers, hailed as heroes for saving the motorist, are part of the 1.17mn-strong migrant labour force in Singapore, drawn largely from Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. These workers often reside in overcrowded dormitories, are transported in unsafe vehicles and face minimal legal protection.

In 2024 alone, at least four such workers died and over 400 were injured in road accidents involving flat-bed trucks – a cost-cutting transport method permitted under Singaporean law despite mounting criticism. As such, the paradox of workers risking their lives daily – and occasionally saving others while their own welfare remains under-addressed –`has reignited debates about inequality and safety regulations in one of Asia’s richest nations.

Asia’s broader urban challenge

Sinkholes, however, care little for the legal status of those on the surface and as Asia’s urban centres continue to grow, the sinkhole phenomenon is a stark reminder of the cost of unchecked development and neglected infrastructure. Experts warn that without proactive planning and stronger regulations, sinkholes could become not just more common, but deadlier.

Fortunately, some governments across the region have begun to respond. China has launched major underground mapping initiatives in high-risk areas. Indonesia has set up a national sinkhole monitoring taskforce, while Seoul has invested in radar-based subsidence detection technologies.

However, much of Asia remains reactive rather than preventative. A unified, data-driven approach to urban geology, improved drainage systems and tighter construction controls are urgently needed to mitigate this growing risk.

The Singapore sinkhole – and the migrant workers who saved a life – may have made headlines for their drama and heroism. But the wider story beneath the surface is one of urban vulnerability, climate stress and infrastructural oversight.

As Asia moves further into the 21st century, the race is not merely to build cities higher and faster, but to make them safer from the ground up.