India
After incessant rains, water leaks from Taj dome, flooding garden; ASI on high alert | India News – Times of India
AGRA: Persistent rain in Agra caused significant damage to the city for 48 hours historical monumentsincluding Taj Mahal. Archaeological Survey of India had on Thursday put its staff on “surveillance” after water started seeping from the main dome of Taj, while the adjacent garden remained submerged.
Chief archaeologist Rajkumar Patel said on Friday that a survey is being conducted to “find out where water is dripping from the main dome of the Taj”. He added: “Moisture has been seen in the main mausoleum. There could be a hairline crack in the stones of the dome, causing leakage. The spot where water is dripping is being monitored to find out whether it is continuous at the same spot or intermittent. In any case, necessary repairs will be carried out. The garden will be rejuvenated once the rain stops.”
A government-approved tourist guide, who asked not to be named, said: “A heavy downpour flooded a garden near the central tank in front of the main mausoleum. There was also water leakage from the dome, which reached the chamber where the tombs of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal are located.”
A video of the flooded garden was circulated on social media, sparking curiosity among locals and tourists visiting the garden. Unesco World Heritage.
According to the Met dept, 151 mm of rain was recorded in Agra on Thursday – the highest in the region in a 24-hour period “in the last eight decades”. The downpour also caused “minor damage” to historical monuments including Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Jhunjhun Ka Katora, Rambagh, Mehtab Bagh, Chini Ka Rauza, Akbar’s Tomb at Sikandra and the Roman Catholic Cemetery.
Chief archaeologist Rajkumar Patel said on Friday that a survey is being conducted to “find out where water is dripping from the main dome of the Taj”. He added: “Moisture has been seen in the main mausoleum. There could be a hairline crack in the stones of the dome, causing leakage. The spot where water is dripping is being monitored to find out whether it is continuous at the same spot or intermittent. In any case, necessary repairs will be carried out. The garden will be rejuvenated once the rain stops.”
A government-approved tourist guide, who asked not to be named, said: “A heavy downpour flooded a garden near the central tank in front of the main mausoleum. There was also water leakage from the dome, which reached the chamber where the tombs of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal are located.”
A video of the flooded garden was circulated on social media, sparking curiosity among locals and tourists visiting the garden. Unesco World Heritage.
According to the Met dept, 151 mm of rain was recorded in Agra on Thursday – the highest in the region in a 24-hour period “in the last eight decades”. The downpour also caused “minor damage” to historical monuments including Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Jhunjhun Ka Katora, Rambagh, Mehtab Bagh, Chini Ka Rauza, Akbar’s Tomb at Sikandra and the Roman Catholic Cemetery.
