Agra: Incessant rainfall for more than 48 hours in Agra has caused huge damage to several historical monuments, in particular the Taj Mahal. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Thursday placed its staff on high alert after water was observed seeping from the Taj Mahal’s main dome, while its nearby garden became waterlogged.
Superintending archaeologist Rajkumar Patel said on Friday that an investigation is underway to determine the source of the leakage from the main dome. “Moisture has been detected inside the main mausoleum,” he said. He suggested a possible hairline crack in the dome’s stones might be responsible.
He added, “We are assessing whether the water is dripping continuously from the same spot or if it is intermittent. Regardless, necessary repairs will be made. The garden will be restored once the rain subsides.”
Garden of Taj Mahal flooded after heavy rains. https://t.co/a3YHfi0hZ0 pic.twitter.com/w2GMF1RieG
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Water reaches inner royal tombs
A government-approved tourist guide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the heavy rainfall had flooded the garden near the central tank, located in front of the main mausoleum. Apart from that, water leakage from the dome had reached the chamber where the tombs of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal are situated.
Record rainfall in Agra
A video of the waterlogged garden circulated on social media, attracting attention from locals and tourists alike who were visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to the Meteorological Department, Agra received 151 mm of rainfall on Thursday – the highest in a 24-hour period in over 80 years. The downpour also caused minor damage to other historic sites such as Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Jhunjhun Ka Katora, Rambagh, Mehtab Bagh, Chini Ka Rauza, Akbar’s Tomb in Sikandra, and the Roman Catholic Cemetery.
