In a recent incident that occurred in Tura, Meghalaya, the PA Sangma Stadium faced a significant setback as a section of the facility collapsed due to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. However, this incident was misinterpreted by Ashok Swain, a notorious propagator of anti-India misinformation, who shared a misleading video on Twitter. In this blog, we will delve into the incident, analyze the misleading tweets, provide fact-checking evidence conducted by D-Intent, and ultimately uncover the true intentions behind this Stadium Collapse in Meghalaya incident.
The Misleading Tweet:
Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) shared a video on Twitter, falsely claiming that the stadium collapse was a result of shoddy construction. The tweet garnered attention and sparked controversy, creating a false narrative surrounding the incident. Click here to view the misleading tweet
Fact-Checking the Misinformation:
However, upon conducting a thorough investigation, it becomes evident that the collapse was primarily caused by relentless downpours and thunderstorms, which led to widespread damage. The wall of the stadium collapsed due to the heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides, specifically in a section where a retaining wall was lacking. This vulnerability caused a substantial landslide, dislodging a significant amount of soil from the field above. Read the fact-checking article from Guwahati Plus
Examples of Stadium Collapses due to Rainfall:
It is important to note that the incident in Meghalaya is not an isolated case. Numerous stadiums across the world have faced similar issues due to extreme weather conditions. Here are a few examples of stadium collapses caused by heavy rain and landslides:
a) Volgograd, Russia: During the 2018 World Cup, an arena in Volgograd collapsed due to a landslide caused by heavy rainfall. Read more about the incident in Russia
b) Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu: The roof of a stadium in Tirunelveli collapsed after heavy rain, merely eight months after its renovation. Learn about the stadium collapse in Tamil Nadu
c) Galle, Sri Lanka: The stand at the Galle International Stadium collapsed due to heavy rain, further highlighting the vulnerability of stadiums to extreme weather conditions. See images and read about the incident in Sri Lanka
d) Ercolano, Italy: Part of a stadium in Ercolano collapsed due to severe weather conditions. This incident serves as another example of the impact heavy rain can have on stadium infrastructure. Read more about the stadium collapse in Ercolano, Italy
Unveiling the Intent:
Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that Ashok Swain shared this distorted and out-of-context news to target India. By projecting the incident as a consequence of shoddy construction, he aimed to fuel negativity and undermine the country’s progress. However, the facts demonstrate that extreme weather conditions were the primary cause of the collapse, aligning with similar incidents witnessed globally. Click here to view the misleading tweet
Conclusion:
The incident involving the collapse of a section of the PA Sangma Stadium in Tura, Meghalaya, was wrongly interpreted and propagated as an example of poor construction. However, the reality is that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms triggered the collapse, highlighting the importance of considering extreme weather conditions when assessing stadium vulnerabilities. It is crucial to fact-check misleading claims and understand the true intentions behind such incidents to avoid spreading misinformation.
Also read- Unraveling the Digitally Altered Image Incident: False Claims Surrounding Mahatma Gandhi’s Visit
