The UNESCO World Heritage site of Bagan, home to nearly 4,000 Buddhist pagodas and temples, has been severely affected by heavy rains and flooding during the recent rainy season. According to reports, about 1,900 ancient structures have suffered damage, putting many of these historical monuments at risk of collapse.
Bagan, renowned for its iconic spires and temples, is one of Myanmar’s most significant archaeological and religious sites, attracting both pilgrims and international tourists. However, a combination of natural disasters, inadequate preservation efforts, and political instability has left the site vulnerable to further deterioration.
A Legacy in Peril
Bagan’s temples, many built between the 10th and 13th centuries, stand as enduring testaments to Myanmar’s rich cultural and religious history. The sprawling archaeological zone covers more than 100 square kilometers and features an unparalleled collection of ancient Buddhist architecture. Despite its cultural significance, Bagan has long faced challenges in preservation.
According to Thura Aung, a former secretary of the Myanmar Archaeology Association, recent damage to the temples can be attributed not only to natural factors but also to years of insufficient preservation efforts. “The deterioration over the last few months is alarming, especially as we haven’t addressed these issues properly over the years. Many of these temples are at risk of collapse,” he told Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Impact of Heavy Rains and Flooding
The recent rainy season brought an unprecedented level of damage to Bagan’s temples. Persistent rains led to flooding across the site, weakening the foundations of many pagodas and causing extensive structural damage. The torrential downpours have eroded stairways, brick walls, and decorative archways in some of the most notable temples, including the Shwezigon, Thatbyinnyu, and Htilominlo temples. The lower terraces and platforms of several pagodas, including two in the Hnetpyittaung group, have collapsed, exacerbating the threat of further deterioration.
Despite efforts to repair some of the damage, concerns remain about the long-term stability of the site. The flooding has disrupted natural drainage systems, increasing the risk of future structural failures.
Historical Preservation Efforts and Challenges
Bagan’s vulnerability is not a new issue. In 1975, a major earthquake severely damaged more than half of the area’s temples, including the renowned Buphaya Pagoda, which collapsed into the nearby Irrawaddy River. Restoration efforts, however, have often been controversial. In the 1990s, under a previous military junta, extensive repairs were carried out, but art historians and preservationists criticized the work for using modern materials and methods that deviated from the original architectural designs.
When Myanmar initially applied for Bagan to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the bid was rejected due to concerns over poor management strategies and improper restoration work. It was not until 2019, following a more concerted effort to align with UNESCO standards, that Bagan was finally added to the World Heritage list.
However, the 2021 military coup and subsequent internal conflict have hindered preservation efforts. International teams from countries such as France, South Korea, and Japan, who had been involved in conservation work, withdrew from the site following the coup, leaving the Bagan Archaeological Zone understaffed and ill-equipped to handle the recent damage.
“Currently, the staff at Bagan’s Archaeological Department is insufficient, and there is no plan to address the shortage,” Thura Aung said. “Bagan is a vast area with numerous temples, but the available workforce is inadequate. There is no strategy in place to resolve the staffing issue.”
Preservation Techniques Under Scrutiny
One of the major concerns surrounding the preservation of Bagan’s temples is the inconsistency in restoration practices. Thura Aung pointed out that while traditional techniques are supposed to be used, modern materials are often substituted for convenience.
“In the past, the pagodas were constructed with tightly compacted, well-baked bricks, pressed layer by layer with great care, which is why they withstood time,” a Bagan resident who has worked on pagoda restoration told RFA. “But now, the temples are collapsing before their time, and this is due to the methods, and most importantly, the quality of the materials used.”
The resident emphasized that proper restoration requires using authentic materials and techniques. For instance, bricks must be baked correctly, and water-resistant materials should be applied to seal ramps and terraces. In addition, wild plants that grow on the temples must be removed, as their roots can weaken the structures over time.
While Myanmar’s Department of Archaeology claims to adhere to traditional methods, such as recreating original mortar and using bricks that match the original size and color, many experts remain skeptical. “The claim that they are preserving the original method is just on paper,” Thura Aung said. “In reality, it’s being revised without maintaining its true authenticity.”
Political Landscape and Its Effect on Bagan
The 2021 military coup in Myanmar has had far-reaching consequences for the country, including the management of its cultural heritage sites. The Bagan Archaeological Zone has seen a significant reduction in staffing, as skilled workers have either left or been displaced due to the ongoing conflict. Additionally, the instability has disrupted international cooperation, which had been crucial in preserving Bagan’s temples.
With international teams withdrawing from the site, Myanmar’s military junta has taken control of preservation efforts. However, critics argue that the junta’s focus has shifted away from the long-term protection of Bagan’s temples and more toward short-term repairs aimed at gaining public favor.
A report from the Ministry of Information, released on September 13, acknowledged the recent damage to several temples but offered little in terms of a comprehensive plan to prevent further deterioration. Instead, efforts have been concentrated on repairing the most visible damage, such as collapsed stairways and brick walls.
Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing recently visited Bagan to inspect repairs and oversee flood prevention measures. According to reports from state-run media, the junta has prioritized preventing future flooding from the lakes and reservoirs in the region. However, there is little evidence to suggest that these efforts will be sufficient to protect the site from future natural disasters.
Tourism and Urbanization
Bagan’s temples are not only cultural landmarks but also major tourist attractions, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The tourism industry has long been a key source of revenue for Myanmar, and Bagan is a centerpiece of the country’s tourism infrastructure. However, the rapid development of tourism in recent years has also contributed to the challenges facing the site.
Critics have pointed to an increase in construction projects within the Bagan Archaeological Zone that have been undertaken without heritage impact assessments. These projects, which include hotels and other tourism-related infrastructure, have disrupted the area’s traditional irrigation systems and water drainage networks, further exacerbating the risk of flooding and erosion.
As urbanization around the site continues to expand, concerns are growing that Bagan’s temples may not be able to withstand the combined pressures of natural disasters, inadequate preservation, and unchecked development.
The future of Bagan’s temples hangs in the balance. With nearly 1,900 pagodas damaged during the recent rainy season and many more at risk of collapse, the need for comprehensive preservation efforts has never been greater. However, the combination of political instability, insufficient staffing, and inconsistent restoration practices has left the site vulnerable to further deterioration.
International cooperation, once a cornerstone of Bagan’s preservation, has been severely hampered by the country’s political situation. While the junta has taken steps to repair the most immediate damage, these efforts may fall short without a more cohesive strategy that addresses both the root causes of the damage and the long-term preservation of the site.
For the people of Myanmar and the global community, the loss of Bagan’s temples would represent not only a cultural and religious tragedy but also a devastating blow to the country’s historical legacy. Whether the necessary resources and political will can be mobilized in time to save these ancient structures remains to be seen.
Bagan’s temples have survived centuries of natural disasters, political upheavals, and the passage of time. Yet today, they face some of their greatest challenges. Heavy rains, flooding, and inadequate preservation efforts have left nearly 2,000 pagodas at risk of collapse. Without swift and decisive action, the world may lose one of its most treasured cultural heritage sites.
