Watch: 200-foot wall of Amer Fort collapses after heavy rains as Rajasthan battles floods

A section of Amer Fort’s outer wall crumbled on Saturday afternoon after heavy rainfall swept across Jaipur. The 200-foot-long stretch collapsed suddenly, reducing centuries-old stonework into a pile of debris.

A video shared by PTI showed streams of rainwater cutting down the fort’s weathered surface before the wall gave way. The clip captured the moment the structure fell, sending rubble and water cascading down the slope.

Confirming the incident, Amer Palace Superintendent Dr Rakesh Chholak said, “Due to heavy rains in Amer today on 23.08.2025, the wall of Rambagh in front of Jwala Mata Temple has collapsed... Keeping in mind the well-being of elephants and tourists, the elephant ride in Amer Palace is closed till further orders.”

Fears for visitor safety and heritage

Amer Fort, built in the late 16th century by Raja Man Singh, is one of Rajasthan’s most visited sites and forms part of Jaipur’s UNESCO World Heritage listing. Known for its blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles, detailed carvings and wide courtyards, the fort attracts thousands of tourists each day.

But the fort has been under strain for years. Repeated monsoon rains and natural ageing have weakened sections of its outer walls. Saturday’s collapse has intensified calls from historians and conservationists for urgent repair work and stronger protective measures to prevent further damage.

Rains unleash chaos across Rajasthan

The impact of the monsoon was not limited to Jaipur. Several districts in Rajasthan have been struggling with widespread flooding. Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur and Tonk are among the hardest hit, with local officials describing the conditions as flood-like. Low-lying areas remain underwater, road and rail links have been cut off, and many villages are isolated.

The Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are carrying out relief work in Kota, while the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been evacuating residents from other inundated districts.

Government steps in

Disaster Relief Minister Kirodi Meena and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla are set to conduct an aerial survey of the Kota division to assess the situation and guide further relief measures. The Meteorological Department has reported unprecedented rainfall in Bundi’s Nainwa, which recorded 502 mm in just 24 hours, the highest in the region.

By Saturday morning, rainfall had exceeded 10 cm in Bundi, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli and Jaipur. A red alert has been issued for Bhilwara and Chittorgarh, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, while an orange alert remains for Bundi, Kota, Pali, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, Jalore and Sirohi.

Rescue efforts on the ground

In Tonk district, SDRF and civil defence teams rescued more than 100 people from Niwai’s Banasthali village after it was submerged. District Collector Kalpana Agrawal and SP Rajesh Meena have been coordinating rescue and relief efforts at the site.

As rains continue, authorities remain on alert, balancing emergency relief in flood-hit regions with the urgent need to protect Rajasthan’s most treasured heritage sites.