The city of Pandabangan in the Philippines is submerged due to drought

As “Spiegel” reports, in the Philippine region of Pandabangan, historical ruins that are normally underwater due to prolonged drought have been discovered. Remains of a nearly 300-year-old settlement, including walls and a large cross, bear witness to the history of the place.

The current heat wave in Asia with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees at times has led to this unusual situation. Despite the scorching heat, the exposed ruins in the middle of the Pandabangan Reservoir attract many visitors, who can be taken to the makeshift island by fishermen for five dollars.

The settlement's flooding is due to the construction of a dam in the 1970s to irrigate local agriculture. Due to this, the people of the area were forced to leave their homes.

According to National Irrigation Authority senior engineer Marlon Paladin, the reservoir's water level has now dropped by nearly 50 metres. This is the sixth time the village has made a comeback after being submerged in floods. According to Benison Estereja, a meteorologist at the state meteorological office, Bagasa, the current drought may worsen in the next few days.