Torrential rains cause damage to Bagan’s ancient pagodas

Torrential rains in Bagan over the past couple of months have caused partial damage to some ancient pagodas in Myanmar’s ancient cultural city, Eleven Media has learned.

Ruins of Bagan [Credit: Nicholas Kenrick/WikiCommons]

Htilominlo Pagoda, one of the most famous in the city, was partially damaged on Sunday due to the heavy rains, local sources say.

“It’s due to weak points of the original architectural style. [Erosion] used to occur there every rainy season. But [the affected area] is not very big, just a foot wide in damage,” said an official from the Bagan Archaeological Research Department.

Restoration efforts are now said to be under way.

As the heavy rains also caused water leakage in some of the ancient buildings, the department is conducting maintenance work for the buildings where necessary.

Source: Eleven Muanmar [October 31, 2013]