The 1,200-year-old empty Panchubarahi temple located at the sea erosion-prone Satabhaya in Kendrapada distric has been a victim of global warming and climate change as surging sea water has posed a threat to its existence.
The constantly rising water level of the sea has damaged its structure completely. It is apprehended that within a month or two, the centuries- old temple will completely be devoured by the marauding sea. According to locals, about four to five families, who are yet to be shifted to the resettlement colony at Bagapatia and have been staying at Satabhaya, were worshipping the deities in the temple regularly. But the rising water of the sea has damaged the shrine which was built during the dynasty of Bahumakaras in the Satabhaya village. The temple now is submerged under three feet long tidal water.
According to locals, the Panchabarahi shrine was earlier at a safe distance from the sea. Even, five years back the sea was 100 metres away from the shrine. But, with water level rising constantly, the turbulent sea has come near the temple and the crawling water has started devouring the shrine. A wall of the temple facing the sea has caved in recently due sea water ingress whereas lions statues that were installed at the front door of the temple also have been destroyed. Meanwhile, locals have demanded for protection and renovation of the heritage shrine of the district.