• Source:JND
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A viral video from the Wagah-Attari border has ignited a wave of trolling and sharp online commentary after floodwaters inundated Pakistan’s side of the parade ground during the daily flag-lowering ceremony, while the Indian side appeared largely dry, clean, and orderly.

The clip, which surfaced on social media recently, shows Pakistani Rangers marching through ankle-deep water with sandbags and bricks stacked nearby in an attempt to manage the situation. On the Indian side, viewers noted only a small patch of water near the international gates, while the ceremonial path remained unaffected.

Social Media Users Recall ‘Mercedes vs Dump Truck’ Remark

The contrast immediately revived memories of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s controversial analogy, where he described India as a “shining Mercedes” and Pakistan as a “dump truck full of gravel.” “Clearly a Mercedes on one side and a dump truck on the other. Even nature is mocking Pakistan,” wrote one social media user, echoing dozens of similar posts. Another commented, “At Wagah, India shows progress and preparedness, while Pakistan is literally wading through water.” The hashtag #MercedesVsDumpTruck began trending soon after the video went viral, highlighting how symbolism at one of South Asia’s most iconic border points quickly turned into a meme fest.

Pakistani officials, however, have pinned the blame on engineering works across the border. Officials told local media that Islamabad had raised concerns with New Delhi, alleging that the elevation of the Grand Trunk (GT) Road on the Indian side has restricted natural water outflow, leading to flooding on their grounds.

Despite those claims, Indian officials maintain that no such issues were reported during recent ceremonies. Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele, told the Times of India that the clip is most likely from August 8–9, when the region witnessed “incessant and heavy rainfall.”“There has been no waterlogging at any of the three sites of the ceremonial flag-lowering ceremonies – Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadqi – in recent days. The video appears to be from the period of heavy rainfall,” Fulzele said.He added that while no ceremonial venue was disrupted, several border outposts (BoPs) located in low-lying enclaves along the Ravi river had to be evacuated due to flooding.

Heavy Monsoon Rains Batter Pakistan’s Punjab

The embarrassment at Wagah comes against the backdrop of devastating monsoon floods across Pakistan’s Punjab province. Authorities have evacuated more than 150,000 people from low-lying villages after India released excess water from swollen dams into the downstream rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab earlier this week.

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of “medium to high” flooding levels in multiple river systems, with rescue operations still underway. The province, considered Pakistan’s agricultural heartland, is facing widespread damage to crops and infrastructure.

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Analysts cited by ANI noted that India has already implemented upgraded drainage management and rainwater harvesting at its border facilities, steps that have prevented large-scale flooding despite heavy rainfall. On the Pakistani side, hastily dug drainage channels and elevated road portions were unable to prevent waterlogging during the high-visibility ceremony. “The difference is not just cosmetic, it shows the preparedness gap between the two countries,” a security analyst in Amritsar told ANI, adding that public perception is often shaped by such symbolic visuals.

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The Wagah-Attari border, famous for its daily display of military pomp and nationalism, has long been a stage for both rivalry and optics. The viral video has now become another symbol of contrasting infrastructure and governance across the two sides. As one social media user quipped, “Every evening at Wagah we see the rivalry. This time, even the rain joined the show.”