<p>Visitors to the Sun Temple, also known as Black Pagoda, had to wade through two to three feet deep water which had accumulated around the historic site following heavy downpour.<br /><br /> While a large number of tourists returned without having a proper look at the world famous monument since yesterday, some of the visitors waded through the water to view the temple.<br /><br /> "It was extremely difficult to reach the temple due to water-logging. Though I managed to reach the structure, my wife failed to do so as she found it tough," said Chinmay, a 40-year-old visitor after returning from Konark.<br /><br /> For his wife, Pratiti the visit turned out to be highly disheartening. "The authorities should have taken steps to unclog the drains near the temple," she said.<br /><br /> Locals pointed out that water-logging at the Sun Temple has been a regular feature for the last couple of years. "Whenever it rains heavily for long, the problem crops up as there is no proper outlet," said a resident of a nearby village.<br /><br /> A social worker from the area, Rabindra Kumar Bahinipati said water-logging could damage the temple. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has built a soak pit and when excess water accumulates, it is pumped out. <br /><br /> Bahinipati said prolonged water-logging, which is an acute problem on the northern side of the 13th century monument, is likely to have an adverse impact on the structure.<br /> "Though plans are afoot to put in place a proper drainage system around the Sun Temple but no concrete measure has been taken", he said.<br /><br /> Senior ASI officials were not available to throw light on the problem and measures being taken to deal with it.<br /><br /> The historical monument has been in news recently with reports of dislocation of some stones from the structure, sparking apprehension about its preservation.<br /><br /> Following this, Orissa government had last month asked a joint committee comprising representatives of ASI, district adiministration of Puri and state culture department to verify the matter and submit a report.<br /><br /> ASI, which looks after protection of the temple, has been maintaining that the monument was in a good state, the sources said.</p>
<p>Visitors to the Sun Temple, also known as Black Pagoda, had to wade through two to three feet deep water which had accumulated around the historic site following heavy downpour.<br /><br /> While a large number of tourists returned without having a proper look at the world famous monument since yesterday, some of the visitors waded through the water to view the temple.<br /><br /> "It was extremely difficult to reach the temple due to water-logging. Though I managed to reach the structure, my wife failed to do so as she found it tough," said Chinmay, a 40-year-old visitor after returning from Konark.<br /><br /> For his wife, Pratiti the visit turned out to be highly disheartening. "The authorities should have taken steps to unclog the drains near the temple," she said.<br /><br /> Locals pointed out that water-logging at the Sun Temple has been a regular feature for the last couple of years. "Whenever it rains heavily for long, the problem crops up as there is no proper outlet," said a resident of a nearby village.<br /><br /> A social worker from the area, Rabindra Kumar Bahinipati said water-logging could damage the temple. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has built a soak pit and when excess water accumulates, it is pumped out. <br /><br /> Bahinipati said prolonged water-logging, which is an acute problem on the northern side of the 13th century monument, is likely to have an adverse impact on the structure.<br /> "Though plans are afoot to put in place a proper drainage system around the Sun Temple but no concrete measure has been taken", he said.<br /><br /> Senior ASI officials were not available to throw light on the problem and measures being taken to deal with it.<br /><br /> The historical monument has been in news recently with reports of dislocation of some stones from the structure, sparking apprehension about its preservation.<br /><br /> Following this, Orissa government had last month asked a joint committee comprising representatives of ASI, district adiministration of Puri and state culture department to verify the matter and submit a report.<br /><br /> ASI, which looks after protection of the temple, has been maintaining that the monument was in a good state, the sources said.</p>