Swelling Yamuna reaches iconic Taj Mahal walls after 45 years

The iconic Mughal monument- Taj Mahal in Agra faces the threat of flooding as the Yamuna River swells. Incessant rains in the city have caused the water level of the river to rise near the national heritage site. On Monday, the river water touched the boundary wall of the Taj Mahal.

In the visual of the Taj Mahal, it is seen that the Dussehra Ghat located near the boundary of the Taj Mahal has been flooded. The continuous rise in the water level of the Yamuna has created a flood threat for the Taj Mahal. To avoid flooding, officials have set up barricades on river ghats from Kailash Temple in Sikandra to Dussehra Ghat near the Taj Mahal.

Meanwhile, officials stepped up relief preparations after the Yamuna water level rose by 495.8 feet in Agra on Sunday, slightly violating the ‘low flood level’ mark. As the river swells, roads and a crematorium around Tajganj are flooded and touch the walls of the Itmad-ud-Daula memorial.

The Yamuna Bank road which leads to the Taj Mahal has become waterlogged due to the backward flow from the drain in the flooded river. District Magistrate Navneet Chahal visited the low-lying areas of Agra city and directed the officials concerned to take appropriate measures in case of flood-like situation.