Yamuna Floods Threaten Taj Mahal: Delhi and Agra on High Alert as Water Levels Surge

Northern India is currently grappling with severe floods, relentless rain, and storms. While the hilly regions are witnessing landslides and cloudbursts, the devastation has now reached the plains, causing widespread chaos. Cities like Delhi and Agra are especially affected, with the Yamuna River swelling to dangerous levels and spreading fear among residents.

In Agra, the rising water level of the Yamuna has sounded a new alarm—it’s now touching the base of the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This historic monument is at risk as the river’s water has surpassed the danger mark by about one foot, reaching 496.1 feet. The park behind the Taj Mahal is completely submerged, and several ghats’ steps have disappeared underwater.

Authorities have issued alerts to people living along the Yamuna, urging them to evacuate immediately to safer locations. The situation has worsened due to heavy rains in the hills and the release of water from barrages in Delhi and Haryana. The Okhla Barrage in Delhi released 55,000 cusecs of water, while Mathura’s Gokul Barrage released 97,000 cusecs, directly impacting Agra.

Key ghats like Kailash, Poiya, Balkeshwar, Kachhari, Shamsan, and Dussehra are all submerged, with cremation sites underwater. Municipal workers are stationed at these locations, and 24-hour monitoring has been ordered. Residents have been strictly advised not to go near rivers or drains, as water levels can rise suddenly.

The main culprits behind Agra’s flooding are heavy rainfall and water releases from barrages. Villages and neighborhoods along the low flood zones of the Yamuna, such as Tanora, Noorpur, Kailash, Swami Bagh, Nagla Budhi, Amar Vihar, Dayal Bagh, Moti Mahal, Katra Wazir Khan, Rambagh Basti, and Apsara Talkies Road, are heavily affected. Several villages in Fatehabad Tehsil are also suffering.

To tackle the crisis, the district administration has set up a 24-hour control room and released emergency contact numbers. District Magistrate Arvind Malappa Bangari has confirmed that the situation is being closely monitored and all necessary preparations are in place.

Residents are urged to stay away from the river and avoid visiting the banks until the situation stabilizes. For more updates on the flood and other important news, keep following One India Hindi.