Saturday, March 29, 2025
Pakistan Upset Over Wagah Border Ceremony Held in Knee-Deep Water, Blames India for Flooding
August 29, 2025 | New Delhi
A viral video from the Wagah border has sparked fresh tension between India and Pakistan. The footage shows Pakistani Rangers standing in knee-deep, muddy water while performing the daily parade ceremony. Soon after, Pakistan accused India of causing waterlogging on its side by raising the height of the Grand Trunk Road near the border.
However, Indian officials dismissed the charge, pointing out that India had already implemented advanced rainwater management and drainage systems at the Attari-Wagah crossing. This allowed the Indian side to remain largely clear of water despite heavy rainfall, in stark contrast to Pakistan’s waterlogged parade ground.
Eyewitnesses said that before the ceremony, Pakistani authorities had placed sandbags at several spots to contain the water. Despite these measures, Rangers were forced to perform while standing in stagnant floodwater. On the Indian side, only a small patch near the border gate was slightly affected.
Pakistan is currently grappling with severe flooding triggered by relentless monsoon rains, which has affected not only the Wagah parade ground but also numerous areas in Punjab. Sources indicated that after India lodged complaints, Pakistan hastily dug temporary drains and elevated certain road sections to ease water outflow. Even so, the problem could not be fully resolved.
Inspector General Atul Fulzele of the BSF Punjab Frontier clarified that the video likely dates back to the heavy rains of August 8–9. He confirmed, “At Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadiqi, no parade sites were flooded.” But he admitted that several border outposts along the Punjab Frontier had indeed gone underwater during the downpour, especially those located between the Ravi River and the international border. Some posts had to be evacuated as the situation turned critical.
The episode has once again highlighted the uneven flood management infrastructure on the two sides of the border, with Pakistan accusing India of aggravating the issue, and India pointing to Pakistan’s lack of preparedness.
