Heavy rainfall damages some ancient temples in Bagan cultural zone

The torrential rainfall hit Bagan Ancient Cultural Zone of NyaungU Township, Mandalay Region on 17 and 18 October, resulting in damages to some temples, NyaungU District Administration Body stated. The 43.5 feet long wall with 6 inches thick bricks in the northwest of Saytanagyi Pagoda (Temple No 987) collapsed at 3 pm on 17 October. Temple No 2002 located in Taungbi village of NyaungU Township were also damaged slightly at 5:30 pm, according to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch).
U Nan Tint, township administrator and authorities concerned inspected the sites whether there is temple collapse in NyaungU town or not after heavy rainfall at 4:15 am of 18 October. East archway of Padoetharmyar Temple (Temple No 1605) in Taungbi village, the first terrace of Soemingyi Pagoda (Temple No 1145) in Myinkaba village, the roof (around 9 square feet) of Ancient Brick Monastery (123) and the west archway (12 feet long, 15 feet high and 6 feet thick) of Pyathagyi (Temple No 803) near Phwarsaw village were damaged.
The Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch) stated that the damaged temples will be restored.
The rainfall in NyaungU Township was 44.84 inches between January and 19 October 2021. The rainfall of 27.5 inches in 2006, 26.26 inches in 2007, 40.34 inches in 2011 were measured. — Maung Maung Htein (Kyaukpadaung)/GNLM