The city of Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal, has been struck by historic flooding as the Yamuna River surged to a height of 495.8 feet, breaching the ‘low flood level’ mark. This alarming event marks the first time in 45 years that the river has reached the walls of the magnificent Taj Mahal. Distressing visuals shared on social media depict the waters of the Yamuna submerging a garden situated behind the world-renowned monument. The last instance of the Yamuna approaching the Taj Mahal was during the devastating floods of 1978 when the water level surpassed the ‘low-flood level’ at 495 feet, reaching 497.9 feet.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have erected barricades along the river ghats stretching from Kailash Temple in Sikandra to the Dusshera Ghat near the Taj Mahal in order to mitigate the impact of the floods. Despite this concerning situation, Prince Vajpayee, a conservation assistant at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), assured the public that the Taj Mahal’s design was ingeniously planned to withstand floods. He emphasized that the main mausoleum was created in such a way that water could not enter the structure, even during high floods. In response to the flood-like situation, officials have intensified relief preparations in Agra.
As the Yamuna River swelled, nearby roads and a crematorium in Tajganj were inundated, and the water even reached the wall of the Itmad-ud-daulah monument. Additionally, the Yamuna Kinara Road leading to the Taj Mahal experienced waterlogging due to the backflow from drains that emptied into the flooded river. The current water level of the Yamuna stands at 495.8 feet as of 4 pm on Sunday, surpassing the ‘low-flood level’ of 495 feet in Agra. Yashvardhan Srivastav, ADM (Finance and Revenue), explained that the medium flood level in the city is at 499 feet, while the high flood level is at 508 feet. Authorities have assured that they are prepared to handle a flood-like situation if it arises, with dedicated posts, boatmen, and divers on standby.
Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to remain vigilant. The rise in the Yamuna’s water level can be attributed to the release of water from two barrages in the last 24 hours. Approximately 1,06,473 cusecs of water were discharged from the Okhla Barrage, while 1,24,302 cusecs of water were released from the Gokul Barrage in Mathura, where all seven gates have been opened. However, the escalating water levels have also drawn attention to the persisting issue of pollution in the Yamuna River. The polluted waters pose a significant threat to the Taj Mahal, contributing to its discoloration and decay, highlighting the urgent need for remedial measures.