New York Roads Melt in 37-40 Degree Heatwave... Sinkholes Form Across the City

Asphalt Melts, Causing Sinkholes and Road Deformation
"If Temperatures Rise Further, Such Incidents Could Increase"

As the United States is gripped by a deadly heatwave, a phenomenon has occurred in which asphalt melts and "sinkholes" form on roads. The intense heat has even melted the pavement.

Recently, local media outlets such as the New York Post reported that, as temperatures in New York City soared to as high as 37 degrees Celsius this summer, a series of accidents involving road damage have been occurring across the city.

Bus sunk in a sinkhole caused by the heatwave. Photo by X Capture

In a parking lot in the Long Island area, the ground suddenly caved in, causing the rear wheels of a bus entering the parking lot to sink into the hole. A parking lot employee who witnessed the scene said, "I thought a bombing had started in Iran," and described the situation: "All day, cars were coming and going without any issues, but as the bus entered, there was suddenly a loud 'bang.'"

In the released photos, the asphalt road has sunken, and both rear wheels of the bus have fallen into the sinkhole, leaving the front of the bus precariously elevated. Fortunately, there were no passengers on the bus at the time of the accident, and the driver managed to escape safely without injury.

Meanwhile, in Manhattan, New York's leading financial district, a fire truck also fell into a sinkhole. At the time of the accident, the temperature in Manhattan reportedly reached 36 degrees Celsius.

The scene of the asphalt deformation accident that occurred on the 22nd (local time) on a road in Missouri, USA. X capture

A local expert told the New York Post, "It is not uncommon for sinkholes to form due to heat," but added, "There have been especially many accidents this week. When temperatures are high, asphalt becomes softer, and heavy vehicles can sink." The expert also pointed out, "It's not just a matter of the road surface temperature. There may have already been weak points under the pavement, such as unstable ground or empty spaces."

Asphalt deformation accidents are also occurring in other regions during the summer. On the 22nd (local time), a road in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, expanded due to the heat, causing a car driving on the road to be launched upward. At that time, the heat index in Missouri was around 40 degrees Celsius. City authorities stated, "There were no injuries from the accident," but also warned, "If temperatures rise further, such incidents could increase."