Inundations and damages: PM inspects damages by natural disasters in Bagan

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Joint-Secretary of the SAC Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and party inspected water inundation and damages by natural disasters in Bagan Archaeological Zone on Tuesday and gave necessary instructions.

On arrival at Nyaung U airport, the Prime Minister and party were welcomed by the Mandalay Region Chief Minister, the Commander of Central Command, and officials. The Prime Minister and party then looked into inundated places in the Archaeological Zone in a motorcade.

They then visited Sulamani pagoda built by King NarapatiSithu where they inspected flooded areas by the heavy rains and encouraged security members, departmental staffs and social organizations who are undertaking pumping water and sanitation tasks.

There, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U KoKo and Director General of the Archaeology and National Library DrKyawOoLwin reported water inundation at the pagodas in the Bagan Archaeological Zone and water pumping tasks. In response to the reports, the Prime Minister stressed the needs to carry out earth leveling in the compounds of pagodas and temples, to build water outlets for the prevention of water inflows, to systematically maintain the historic cultural heritages and ancient mural paintings and then paid homage to Sulamani Pagoda.

The Prime Minister and party then proceeded to Ananda temple, HtiloMinlo pagoda and Shwezigon pagoda in Bagan Archaeological Zone and looked into inflow of water due to natural disasters and damages. After paying homage to the Ananda temple, the Prime Minister and party inspected water flooding in the pagoda and gave instructions on systematic maintenance of ancient art works, long-term durability and necessary tasks to prevent floods and damages in case of natural disasters.

After that, the Prime Minister and party looked into maintenance of Ananda Oakkyaung monastery adjacent to the northern big wall of Ananda temple and damage of the archway by natural disaster.

In repose to the reports of officials, the Prime Minister stressed the needs to maintain systematically to prevent damages by disasters, to provide non-direct lighting to be able to study conveniently the wall paintings by the people and to consult with experts to construct a building with a roof that can cover the entire brick facility as there are invaluable ancient cultural arts in the Ananda oakkyaung monastery.

At the HtiloMinlo pagoda, the Prime Minister and party looked into damages at the inside and outside pagoda and urged to emphasize on preservation tasks of pagodas and temples because of invaluable ancient cultural heritages. The Prime Minister and party then proceeded to Shwezigon Pagoda built by King Anawrahta and King Kyan Sit and instructed the needs on necessary maintenance tasks for long-term durability. They then observed the biographical stone inscription of King Kyan Sit at the pagoda and called for preserving it with advanced method than now and to display the inscription with tablets for locals and foreigners to be able learn easily. While visiting Ananda temple, HtiloMinlo and Shwezigon Pagodas in the Bagan Archaeological Zone to inspect inflow of water and damages by natural disaster, the Prime Minister donated cash and cordially greeted people. The floods were occurred at the pagodas and temples including Shwezigion, Ananda, DhammayanGyi, Sulamani, DhammaRazaka, HtiloMinlo pagodas and 8 ancient pagodas/buildings were slightly damaged and measures are being undertaken to maintain the damaged building as soon as possible without losing original forms.