First time in 45 years: Floodwater submerges Taj Mahal garden
Severe floods are currently ravaging northern India, causing havoc in the region. Regrettably, floodwaters have also reached the outer walls of the Taj Mahal, inundating the garden behind the 17th-century white marble mausoleum. This is the first time such flooding, originating from the adjacent Yamuna River, has occurred in 45 years, with the previous one happening in 1978.
Here's what happened
Officials reported a sudden increase in the Yamuna River's water level due to the release of a large amount of water from the Okhla and Gokul barrages in Mathura. This release was prompted by the recent heavy rainfall in many parts of northern India. However, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials reassured that the floodwater would not enter the monument.
Water unlikely to enter main mausoleum: ASI
"It is unlikely that the floodwater will enter the monument. The ingenious design of the structure rules out such threats. Water cannot enter the main mausoleum even during high floods," Raj Kumar Patel, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI (Agra) was quoted by Indian Express.
In 1978, water level rose to 508 feet
In 1978, the water level rose to 508 feet (155 meters) in Agra. The floodwaters entered 22 rooms in the basement of the Taj Mahal, leaving silt behind. Since then, the ASI has taken steps to prevent similar situations in the future, by replacing the wooden doors through which water had entered with protective walls at the entrances from Basai and Dussehra ghats.
This time, water level reached 498 feet
"At present, the Yamuna is flowing at a level of 498 feet in Agra. The low flood level is 495 feet and the medium level is 499 feet. Flood water may cross 500 feet in the coming days," a government official told Indian Express. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have arrived in Agra for rescue operations.
Neighboring areas are flooded as well
Floodwater has reached the Dussehra riverbank and Mehtab Bagh in Agra, while there are growing concerns that around 40 neighboring villages may soon face flooding. In Agra, the localities of Lohia Nagar, Tanishq, Rajshree, and Dayalbagh have also been flooded. The sanctum sanctorum of the Kailash Mahadev temple in Agra's Sikandra locality too has been affected by floodwater.
