Floodwaters flood the centuries-old Katas Raj temple in Chakwal.
As the holy pond, Pohar Talab, overflows in Choa Saidan Shah for the first time in years, the ongoing, intense rains have caused flooding in the ancient Katas Raj temples.
As the rain continues to batter the area, floodwaters have engulfed several villages, including Jhangar, Harl Amrila, and Mohri.
Hindus consider the Pohar Talab to be a sacred place with great religious and historical significance.
Hindu mythology states that Lord Shiva’s tears, shed in sorrow over the passing of his wife Sati, created the pond.
The location, which is in the Chakwal district of Punjab’s Salt Range, is home to ancient temples that go all the way back to the Hindu Shahi era, which lasted from the sixth to the tenth century AD.
Concerns have been raised about the preservation of Pakistan’s rich cultural legacy as floodwaters have further deteriorated the temples, which are a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus worldwide, including in India.
According to locals, the drainage channels have been overloaded by the constant rains, causing extensive flooding in nearby villages. The local population finds it difficult to relocate to safer areas, and authorities have not yet responded effectively.
Concerns about the effects of climate change are becoming more pressing as a result of Katas Raj’s flooding.
