ANGKOR: Experts from the APSARA Authority’s Department of Conservation are cleaning up piles of stone leftover from the French restoration of the Bayon Temple in the early 20th century. They are also rehabilitating the ancient drainage system along the southwestern edge of the Bayon Temple.

Site Manager Meng Sovanlylin said that the stone floor of the drainage system had collapsed and that the team needs to remove it before restoration can begin. She said that the drainage system has not worked for many years, causing water blockage during the rainy season. Once completed, Bayon Temple will be free of excess stagnant water with proper releaser mechanisms.

Meng Sovanlylin said that the project is important to finding a way to release the rainwater from the third level, to prevent water seepage into the temple foundation. When a large amount of rainwater flows into the foundation of the temple, it displaces earth and sand and weakens the foundation.