via Phnom Penh Post, 28 March 2021: It is not as alarming as it sounds, and the water at Srah Srang is expected to be replenished during the rainy season. Part of the reason it is extra dry this year was because of the restoration works that was carried out last year.
The Apsara National Authority (ANA) said that by the end of this year’s dry season, the Angkorian era Srah Srang may dry up as it had not been refilled with water when experts were repairing the temple standing in the middle of the reservoir.
“The water level in Srah Srang is low and the remaining water will evaporate very quickly due to the heat of the current weather,” ANA said.
Srah Srang is a 780m by 380m reservoir located to the east of Banteay Kdei temple. It was dug in the Angkorian era in the late 12th and early 13th centuries during the reign of Jayavarman VII.
Srah Srang boasts a beautiful terrace made of sandstone and lateritic, with a cross shape, naga handrails and stone lion guards. It always had water with a pleasant surrounding landscape but does not have a water drainage system. It depends on rainwater and groundwater that seeps in from the East Baray reservoir.
In the 2015 dry season, Srah Srang also experienced low water levels due to a severe drought.
ANA spokesperson Long Kosal told The Post on March 28 that Srah Srang was not filled with water during last year’s rainy season and may dry up this year. This is the reason workers were in a hurry to finish the restoration work on time.
Asked why the drought will not affect the surrounding temples’ foundations, Kosal said Srah Srang’s function is not to stabilise the temples. Nevertheless, it will have water again when the rainy season comes.
Source: Srah Srang water at risk for evaporation this dry season | Phnom Penh Post
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