Taj Mahal's Marble Railing damaged after thunderstorm lashes in Agra

A thunderstorm that swept through Agra Friday night killing at least three people also damaged the city’s most famous monument – the Taj Mahal.

The storm damaged the marble and red sandstone railing and the main wooden main gate.

The wind speed was assessed at 124 kilometers per hour and brought down trees and walls. Many cars were damaged as walls and trees fell on them. About 20 houses were damaged and a six year old girl died under the debris.

“There has been damage to the Taj Mahal’s premises due to rains



and thunderstorm. Part of the marble railing at the back of the main mausoleum towards river Yamuna fell. A red sandstone railing fell on the floor. About ten trees on Taj Mahal premises also toppled,” said Ankit Namdev, the Archaeology Survey of India’s Conservation Assistant at the Taj Mahal.

A six year old girl died in Nagla Karan Singh of Agra in Friday’s storm after the house collapsed, trapping her in the debris. A villager identified as Kailashi from village Marhi in Doki area of Agra district and Ram Shankar Kanhiyya from Fatehabad town also lost their lives.