In the age of social media, misinformation spreads like wildfire. Recently, several old and fake videos from different countries have been falsely linked to the devastating Biparjoy Cyclone in Gujarat. These misleading claims have led to confusion and hindered the dissemination of accurate information. In this blog post, we will examine each case in detail, providing the misleading links that propagated the falsehoods, as well as the corresponding fact-checking links that debunked these claims.
Case 1: Boat Floundering in Colombia River
An old video depicting a boat struggling in the surf of Colombia River, North America, has been circulated with the false claim that it was from the recent Biparjoy Cyclone in Gujarat. The misleading link can be found here (Archived). We conducted an extensive research and found this the fact-checking link from the US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest debunks this claim and can be accessed here (Archived).
Case 2: Flood Video Unrelated to the Cyclone
A two-year-old video showcasing a flood in Gujarat has been connected to the recent cyclone falsely. You can check this misleading link can be found here (archived) while the fact-checking link provided by our team exposes the video’s true context and can be accessed below-
Case 3: Texas Storm Video Misattributed to Biparjoy Cyclone
A four-year-old video displaying a severe storm in Monte Alto, Texas, has been shared and falsely claimed to be from the Biparjoy Cyclone in Gujarat. The misleading link can be found here, while fact-checking links from WDRB Weather Blog can be accessed here and here.
Case 4: Minicoy Island Eastern Jetty Video
A video capturing huge waves attacking Minicoy Island Eastern Jetty in August 2017 has been shared with the false claim that it is from the recent Biparjoy Cyclone in Gujarat. The misleading link can be found here, while the fact-checking link, a YouTube video, can be accessed here.
Case 5: CGI Simulation Video
A CGI simulation video has been circulated, falsely claiming to be an update on the Biparjoy Cyclone in Gujarat. The misleading link can be found here, while the fact-checking link, another YouTube video, can be accessed here.
Case 6: Suez Canal Sandstorm Misidentified as Cyclone
A video of a large sandstorm blowing over the Suez Canal, initially shared by a user from Pakistan, was falsely attributed to the recent Biparjoy Cyclone in India and Pakistan. The misleading link can be found here (Archived). With our research, we found a a fact-checking link showing CNN debunks this claim and can be accessed here (Archived).
Conclusion:
It is crucial to exercise caution when sharing information online, especially during times of crisis. The circulation of old and unrelated videos as if they were connected to the recent Biparjoy Cyclone in Gujarat only adds to the confusion and hinders the dissemination of accurate information. By referring to the fact-checking links provided, we can help prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that authentic and verified content reaches the public. Let us all be responsible digital citizens by verifying the facts before sharing any content on social media platforms.
Also read- Beware of Digital Deception: Unmasking the Bear Attack Cyclist Video Hoax
