Record Monsoon Rains Raise Yamuna River Levels, Surrounding Taj Mahal in 45-Year High Flood

 

Taj Mahal floodwaters

Extreme monsoon rains have caused the Yamuna river to rise to its highest level near India's iconic Taj Mahal since 1978. The rising water reached the outer boundary walls of the historic monument, with one adjacent garden being submerged. Despite the flooding, tourists continued to visit the site, which remains untouched by the river. Officials reassured that the Taj Mahal, built on a raised structure, is not under immediate threat from the floodwaters. While some low-lying houses near the monument were flooded, residents have been relocated to safer areas. The flooding comes amidst heavy floods that have caused fatalities and destruction in northern India over the past three weeks.

Extreme Monsoon Rains Cause River Levels to Surge:

Northern India has experienced record monsoon rains, leading to a surge in river levels, including the Yamuna river near the iconic Taj Mahal. This is the closest the river has come to the Taj Mahal since 1978, with water levels surpassing 150 meters, a height not seen in 45 years.

Taj Mahal Surrounded by Floodwaters:

The Yamuna river's rising water has reached the outer boundary walls of the Taj Mahal, an architectural wonder and India's most popular tourist site. Additionally, one of the monument's adjacent gardens has been submerged due to the heavy flooding caused by the monsoon rains.

Tourists Brave Flooded Surroundings:

Despite the flooding, tourists have continued to visit the Taj Mahal, undeterred by the brown, muddy water surrounding the monument. The Taj Mahal's elevated construction has so far protected it from any immediate threats posed by the floodwaters.

Assurances from Officials:

Prince Vajpayee, a conservation assistant at the Taj Mahal, assured that the monument's raised structure has kept it safe from the floodwaters at present. He mentioned that the monument had experienced flooding touching its boundary walls in 2010, but the current situation does not pose a significant risk of a recurrence of the floodwaters seeping into the monument's basement.

Safety Measures for Local Residents:

While the Taj Mahal remains relatively unaffected, some low-lying houses near the monument have been flooded due to the overflowing Yamuna river. In response, officials have taken precautionary measures and relocated residents from these areas to safer locations.

Heavy Floods in Northern India:

The flooding near the Taj Mahal is part of a broader pattern of heavy floods in northern India, which have caused widespread destruction, fatalities, and landslides in various regions over the past three weeks.

The Taj Mahal, standing as a symbol of India's rich history and cultural heritage, has faced rising floodwaters due to extreme monsoon rains and heightened Yamuna river levels. While the monument itself remains unharmed, the floods have affected nearby areas, necessitating the relocation of some local residents to safer places. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of both visitors and residents amidst the ongoing monsoon season.