Ferozepur, Aug. 30 -- The daily retreat ceremony at the Hussainiwala Joint Check Post (JCP) on the India-Pakistan border in Ferozepur district was temporarily suspended on Friday due to massive flooding caused by the swelling Sutlej River and breaches in the embankments. Authorities said that the suspension would remain in effect until conditions return to normal. The JCP is currently submerged under nearly seven feet of floodwater.

Amid the discharge of 2.62 lakh cusecs of water from Harike Headworks and another 2.6 lakh cusecs from Hussainiwala Headworks, as many as 120 villages in two bordering districts- Fazilka and Ferozepur remained submerged under water.

BSF officials said the suspension was essential to ensure visitor safety and...