Persistent rain causes leak in the roof of the Taj Mahal – World

AGRA (Web Desk) – The persistent monsoon rains in Agra over the past three days have caused leaks in the roof of the Taj Mahal.

According to Indian media reports, water dripped from the main dome of the Taj Mahal roof due to persistent rain. In addition, the gardens adjacent to the monument were also flooded.

A government-certified tour guide said the water leaking from the dome had reached the chamber containing the tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife.

An official from the Indian Archaeological Survey confirmed the leaks and pointed out that the affected dome had been examined using drone cameras and no damage had been found.

“Dampness has been detected inside the main mausoleum,” said Rajkumar Patel, a senior official with the Archaeological Survey of India. “There could be a hairline crack in the stones of the dome that is causing the leak,” he admitted.

The report further stated that work on repairing the monument and draining water from the gardens would begin as soon as the rain stopped.

The Taj Mahal in Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

The Taj Mahal remains one of India’s most famous tourist destinations and has been visited by many world leaders and prominent figures, perhaps most famously Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. More recently, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former US President Donald Trump have also included the monument in their official visit itineraries.

This is not the first time that concerns have been raised about the upkeep and maintenance of India’s most famous tourist attraction. Historians have blamed the poor control of air and water pollution around the architectural marvel for the gradual yellowing of the monument, dulling its brilliant white marble.