One of the world's most famous heritage sites, the Taj Mahal in India, is under serious threat due to a water crisis.
As a result of water shortages, pollution and depletion of underground resources, not only the Yamuna River, which washes the mausoleum, suffers, but also the white marble monument itself.
The marble façade turns yellow, cracks form, humidity in the foundation increases, and the condition of the structure gradually deteriorates.
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Which UNESCO sites are threatened by droughts and floods
The Taj Mahal’s problem is no exception. According to the latest data from the Aqueduct platform, 73% of all terrestrial UNESCO World Heritage sites – more than 850 names – are already at serious water risk, from droughts and water shortages to floods and pollution. One in five monuments on the list faces a double threat, with water both plentiful and scarce.
Among the objects that suffer:
- The Akhwar Marshes in southern Iraq are the cradle of Sumerian civilization, where more than 80% of the water is already extracted for human needs. In 2023, the marshes dried up, and tens of thousands of people left their homes.
- Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe – in some years almost completely dries up, affecting the ecosystem and electricity supply of the region.
- Chan Chan in Peru is the largest clay city in the world, which is being destroyed by El Niño-related floods.
China's Yellow Sea coastline is a key hub for 50 million migratory birds and is being wiped out by rising sea levels. - Venice, Italy, is a historic city that regularly suffers from tidal surges and floods. Rising sea levels and the instability of the MOSE defense system threaten the city’s cultural heritage and the daily lives of its residents.
- The historic centre of Dubrovnik in Croatia is an area with a high risk of floods and droughts, with climate change putting increasing pressure on water supplies and infrastructure.
- The Acropolis in Athens, Greece is an ancient architectural complex that is being eroded by dust storms, prolonged heat, and lack of rain. Droughts that are common in the region threaten not only the landscape but also the condition of the monument.
- Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland is a glacial landscape that is losing water due to melting ice. The changing hydrological balance affects ecosystems and the availability of fresh water sources.
According to the World Resources Institute, areas in South Asia, the Middle East, northern China and northern Africa are particularly at risk from drought and flooding, due to climate change, uncontrolled dam building and water extraction from rivers.
