Uttar Pradesh: Royal gate of Taj Mahal collapses due to heavy rains

As the heavy rains continue to lash in parts of North India, stone minarets and south and royal gates of the Taj Mahal were damaged.

No casualty has been reported yet.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening at around 7:30 pm.

The royal gate a part of the main gate of Taj Mahal where tourists get the first view of the monument. Also knows as Darwaza-e-rauza was blown away by heavy winds.

In 2016 as well, one of the minarets were damaged, Reports suggested the damage might have caused by cleaning work.

However, later Archaeological Survey of India blamed monkey for the weakening of the structure.

Built in 1631 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal is losing its grace through time due to several reasons such as pollution, excessive cleaning because of its close proximity to heavily polluted Yamunaand insects near the area which are leavinggreen and black stains on the monument.

In another rain-related incident, about 50 km from Agra, three children died in Mathura district on Wednesday after a tin roof of their one-room house collapsed. The incident took place when their parents, who happen to be daily wage labourers were not at home.

Also, crops were damaged in several areas in Nandgaon, Vrindavan, Kosi Kalan areas of Mathura district.

(With inputs from ANI)