Family fears they’ll have to move house after huge sinkhole opens up outside

A family fears they'll have to leave their home after a huge sinkhole opened yards from their front door.

The 20ft deep hole emerged in a garden in Rochdale on Sunday when a drain collapsed during Storm Ciara.

But since then it's more than doubled in size and mum-of-one Kulpna Pishavadia, who owns the land, fears for her family's safety if it gets any bigger.

She said she keeps checking the hole and can't take the risk if it gets any closer.

Kulpna told the Manchester Evening News: "It's more than doubled in size since yesterday.

"All I'm doing is checking the weather forecast and checking the hole.


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"Every time it rains I'm looking out to see if it's getting any bigger.

"It's probably only 4m from the house now. If it gets any closer we'll have to leave.

"We've got a nine month old baby, we can't take the risk."

Kulpna says council officials have been out to inspect the damage today and fenced off the area in Belfield.


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But because it's on her land she says she could be responsible for the repairs.

She added: "The council say there may be ways they can help, but the lady who came out today told us it could [cost] £100,000.

"How can a normal working person pay for that?

"It's getting worse. The land around it is starting to sink. I don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight.

"We are worried but what can we do? It's not something I can fix myself.

"I just hope it doesn't get any worse."

Greater Manchester was battered by hurricane force winds on Sunday as Storm Ciara left a trail of chaos in its wake.

Homes were evacuated due to flooding, there was widespread disruption on the roads and railways and Manchester City's home game against West Ham was postponed due to the weather.

Gusts of up to 86mph were recorded at Manchester Airport on Sunday – thought to be among the strongest ever at that location.

The region suffered widespread flooding, with Bury bearing the brunt of the damage.

Rochdale council have been contacted for a comment by both the MEN and Mirror Online.

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