A section of the Great Wall of China collapsed recently, following days of torrential rain falling in Dai county in China's Shanxi Province. Renovation efforts are ramping up as the Chinese government seeks a solution to improve the condition of the age-old structural wonder.
According to several reports, the severely affected area of the Wall lies adjacent to the 500-year-old Yanmen Pass in Dai county. The Pass, which sits in the Yanmen Mountains, measures 20 kilometers in length. It was built during the Ming Dynasty between 1368 and 1644 AD. Much of its allure is attributed to the majestic gatehouses connecting the Wall.
Authorities were quick enough to isolate the damaged section, banning it from tourists and sightseers while emergency repairs are currently conducted.
One of the reasons being pointed out by experts as to why the section collapsed is the renovation projects being done at various parts of the Wall.
As suggested, the repairs may have done more harm than good to the ancient relic which, as stipulated by historians, is already more than 2,000 years old. The drilling and reconstruction activities could certainly have weakened the foundation of the structure. This, in turn, makes the ground where it takes foothold to become prone to erosion and even landslide.
The day's amount of rains could have been enough to erode the already loosened ground, allowing gravity to work its way on bringing down the heavy wall.
Apparently, the Yanmen Pass wasn't the only damaged section of the Wall. Several accounts mentioned about the collapse of the portion running along the Yangtze River. Similar causes were being pointed out, which are heavy rains and construction mishaps.
In a report from the Global Times, it was found out that much of the renovation projects done by local authorities were either botched or mishandled.
Several experts on the ancient architecture are pointing out on the importance of these reconstructive efforts saying that any damage the Wall incurs during the process could be "irreversible."
Multiple organizations, including government agencies and specialists from the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, are now spearheading an initiative to restore the ancient heritage properly and in accordance with the intended purpose.
In its entirety, the Great Wall of China has an approximate length of 21,200 kilometers, spanning 15 provincial areas of the mainland. Its main purpose is to protect Chinese states and empires against raids and invasions coming from the northern and eastern parts of the country.
