Yamuna floods: The iconic Mughal monument- Taj Mahal is facing flood threat as the Yamuna river swelled in Agra. The incessant rains in the city prompted the rise in the river's water level near the national heritage. The river water touched the boundary wall of the Taj Mahal on Monday.
Visuals from the Taj Mahal showed the Dussehra Ghat located near the Taj Mahal boundary has been flooded. The continuous rise in water level in Yamuna posed a flood threat to the Taj Mahal. Officials set up barricades on the river ghats from Kailash Temple in Sikandra till the Dusshera Ghat near the Taj Mahal to avoid floods.
Yamuna breaches 'low flood' level mark in Agra
Meanwhile, officials stepped up relief preparedness as the water level in Yamuna rose to 495.8 feet in Agra on Sunday, slightly breaching the 'low flood level' mark. As the river started swelling, it inundated nearby roads and a crematorium in Tajganj and touched the wall of the Itmad-ud-daulah monument.
The Yamuna Kinara Road leading to the Taj Mahal here got waterlogged due to backflow from drains falling into the flooded river. District Magistrate Navneet Chahal inspected the low-lying areas in Agra city and directed the officials concerned to make proper arrangements in case a flood-like situation arises.
"The water level in Yamuna was 495.8 feet by 4 pm on Sunday. The low-flood level of this river in Agra is 495 feet. The medium flood level here is at 499 feet and high flood level at 508 feet," said Yashvardhan Srivastav, ADM (Finance and Revenue).
“We are prepared to tackle a flood-like situation if it arises. Posts have been created and boatmen and divers are on alert. Locals in low-lying areas have been advised to remain alert,” Srivastava said.
Arrangements have also been stepped up near the villages in the Agra district bordering the Chambal river, an official said. Medical camps have been set at these places, the official added.
According to the official, the rise in the Yamuna level here was caused by the release of water from two barrages in the last 24 hours -- 1,06,473 cusec water from the Okhla Barrage and 1,24,302 cusec water from the Gokul Barrage in Mathura, where all seven gates have been opened. Agra has not witnessed a flood-like situation since then,” Wadhwa said.
(Report by Ankur Kumar/Agency)
