Renovation Works: Maintenance Underway As Bagan's Pagodas Damaged Due To Heavy Rain

Renovation works are underway for the damaged pagodas in Bagan due to the torrential rain in recent months.

The Central Myanmar City, Bagan, is strewn with more than 3,500 ancient monuments including stupas, temples, murals and sculptures. It was added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2019.

Since mid-August this year, torrential rain in Bagan Archaeological Zone caused slight damages to the outer structures of the ancient pagodas.

On August 31st, heavy rain brought damages to the No.801 ThanPyinSwa Pagoda as the pagoda's outer brick wall was collapsed. 

And also on September 18th, the compound of Sulamani Temple was inundated, and it has been drained out with the use of water pumps.

Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch), Myint Than said “Some of the pagodas in Bagan Archaeological Zone have been damaged due to heavy rain since August 14. We have over 3.3 million budget allotment from the Union Budget for renovation of the damaged pagodas. It will cover the renovation cost for about 7 pagodas.”

At present, seven pagodas and temples are renovation, and plans are underway to renovate the damages of the remaining pagodas.

Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch), Myint Than said “There is no damage inside the pagodas like mural paintings. It only occur slight damages on outer structures. We make daily inspection, and once we found the damages, we documented it and plans for renovation.”

Nearly 400 pagodas and temples in Bagan also suffered damaged by the earthquake in August 2016. After the earthquake, special attention was given to the development of strategy which addresses assessment of damages, post-earthquake stabilisation and post-disaster rehabilitation.