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
Visuals showing the descent of cyclone Biparjoy from the skies, and moving towards Gujarat coast.
Fact
Video is a CGI simulation, and does not show a real incident. The video has been available on internet since December 2018.
Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall near Jakhau Port in Gujarat’s Kutch district on Thursday. In this background, a video purportedly showing a tornado forming in the sky, and descending towards the sea has surfaced online, with social media users claiming it to show the “encirclement” of Cyclone Biporjoy near Gujarat coast. Newschecker found that the video does not show an actual formation over the sea, but is a CGI simulation.
Twitter users who shared the nine-second-long-video asserted “The dangerous encirclement of the storm coming towards #Gujarat was caught on camera…. “
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Notably, social media users had shared a slightly longer version of the video in November 2020 linking it to Cyclone Nivar. Such posts can be seen here and here.
Also Read: Old, Unrelated Videos Shared To Show Impact Of Cyclone Biparjoy
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the footage led us to a Facebook post by Shea Gibson – Meteorologist, dated December 27, 2020. It carried a longer version of the clip, and stated, “…This is an artistic rendition of a sped up microburst, but with a fair amount of CGI I might add…”
We found that the video was also shared on Instagram by @ocean_lovers_united, on May 9, 2022, with the caption, “When the sky meets the sea…” It was credited to @orphicframer.
Following this, we scanned the Instagram account of @orphicframer, a visual effects artist, and found that the video was shared on June 7, 2019 with hashtags such as “#cgi #vfx #visualeffects #digitalart #photoshop….” Thereby, indicating that the clip has been digitally created.
Also Read: Old Video Of Tree Swaying Fiercely Falsely Linked To Cyclone Biparjoy
Furthermore, a longer version of the footage was uploaded on orphicframer’s YouTube channel on December 22, 2018 with the title “Tornado in Jersey, Channel Islands (CGI simulation)…”
The description also listed the softwares and gear used in the creation of the video- Nikon D7200 50mm 1.8 , Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D (with TurbulenceFD plugin).
We found multiple such simulation videos on the YouTube channel like this, this and this.
Also Read: Old Video Of Massive Waves Crashing Against Bridge Falsely Linked To Cyclone Biparjoy
Conclusion
Hence, we could conclude that an old CGI simulation video has been falsely linked to Cyclone Biparjoy.
Result: Fasle
Sources
Facebook Post By Shea Gibson – Meteorologist, Dated December 27, 2020
Instagram Post By @orphicframer, Dated June 7, 2019
YouTube Video By orphicframer, Dated December 22, 2018
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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.
