Rising Yamuna floods reach Taj Mahal walls, inundate Agra’s riverbank homes

Agra witnessed anxious moments on Sunday as the Yamuna river’s water level rose above the danger mark, reaching the outer walls of the Taj Mahal, as per PTI.The swelling waters of Yamuna are due to heavy rainfall in the lower Himalayan region, particularly across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which has significantly increased inflows downstream.

As the river meandered through Agra, it not only brushed against the Taj Mahal’s protective walls but also spilled into several low-lying settlements along its banks, forcing some residents to leave their inundated homes.

"As a precautionary measure, we have temporarily cut off all the electricity connections on our side of the Taj premises. But there is no damage. The monument was built specifically on the banks of the Yamuna.

Its architecture was designed and constructed in such a way that it wouldn't be affected by these factors. Considering all of these, the Taj's height is significantly higher on the river side. Water here has risen mostly at the road level.

The current status is that the Yamuna is touching the perimeter of the Taj," senior conservation assistant, Prince Vajpayee, told TOI.Read more: 10 destinations in India for the greatest safari tours in the wildThe Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, stands on the right bank of the Yamuna.

While its elevated foundation and strategic design have helped it withstand floods for centuries, the sight of the river’s water touching the monument’s outer walls has sparked concern among conservationists and locals.Read more: 5 islands that are disappearing — visit before they’re goneBeyond the Taj Mahal, the rising Yamuna has had a more immediate and distressing impact on Agra’s riverside population. Several homes in low-lying colonies along the riverbank have been inundated, forcing families to wade through knee-deep water to retrieve belongings.

Local authorities have deployed disaster response teams and set up temporary relief measures for the affected residents.The situation has also caused disruptions to daily life in parts of the city, with traffic diversions in place near the riverfront and warnings issued to people living close to the floodplain.For now, officials in Agra continue to monitor the situation closely. While the Taj Mahal itself remains safe, the image of floodwaters lapping at its walls serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between heritage, nature, and urban growth.