Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Video of massive inundation in Mumbai streets.
Fact
Old video shared to show the recent situation in Mumbai.
Amid heavy rainfall in Mumbai, severe waterlogging and disruption of vehicular movement have been reported from multiple areas in the city. The IMD reportedly issued an “orange alert” for Saturday, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places. As rains wreak havoc in Mumbai, social media platforms are flooded with unverified visuals showing massive inundation in the city, and other impacts of rainfall. Newschecker investigated one such video and found it to be unrelated to the current bout of rainfall in Mumbai.
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Also Read: Viral Video Of A Cow-Faced Seal Is Actually AI-Generated
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to a Facebook post by @MumbaiHD, dated August 5, 2020. Carrying the same footage, it stated, “Devastated Scene from CP Tank, Gulalwadi Circle (Mumbai).”
We also found an Instagram post by @bandranews_com from August 2020 carrying the same video of flooded streets.
Multiple other social media posts from August 2020 such as this, this and this, carrying the viral video to show the massive inundation in Mumbai due to incessant rainfall. Hence, confirming that the video dates back to at least August 2020.
Furthermore, we noticed “Nobel Coltar Agency” written on one of the hoardings seen in the viral footage. Taking a clue, we looked up “Nobel Coltar Agency,” and “Mumbai” on Google, and were able to spot the location seen in the viral footage in Maharashtra’s capital. The same can be seen here.
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that an old footage has been shared to show the recent devastation in Mumbai amid heavy downpour.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
Facebook Post By @MumbaiHD, Dated August 5, 2020
Instagram Post By @bandranews_com, Dated August 2020
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
