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
Images linked to the recent landslides in Wayanad.
Fact
Old images showing rescue operations in Idukki
At least 84 people were killed and several others injured after landslides hit multiple areas of Wayanad district, including Meppadi, Mundakkal and Chooralmala towns, during the early hours of Tuesday. While rescue operations are underway, social media platforms continue to flood with unverified visuals claiming to show the recent tragedy in Kerala. Newschecker investigated two such images, and found them to be unrelated to the landslides in Wayanad.
Several social media users, including verified handles, shared an image (hereafter referred as image 1) of a rescue operation linking it to the landslides in Wayanad.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress also shared an image (hereafter referred as image 2) on X in a post on Wayanad, stating, “Deeply distressed by the devastating landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad. Our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. Praying for the safe rescue of those still trapped.”
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Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on image 1 led us to a PTI report, dated August 8, 2020, on a landslide in Kerala’s Idukki. Carrying the same image, it stated, “At least 20 bodies have been recovered so far from the debris of the landslides that flattened a row of 20 houses of tea estate workers in the high range Idukki district in Kerala, as efforts were underway amid continuing rains to locate those missing.”
Notably, the viral image 1 was captioned “Landslide in Idukki district of Kerala,” and was credited to news agency PTI itself.
We also found a report by The News Minute from August 2020 featuring the same photo, captioned “Pettimudi, Rajamala, Idukki.” “The Kerala government has declared Rs 5 lakh each as ex-gratia to the families of those who lost their lives in a huge landslide in Rajamalai in the state’s Idukki district…,” it stated.
It further quoted CM Pinarayi as saying, ““It’s understood that the landslide in Rajamala had occurred early in the morning. Electricity and communication facilities were cut off due to heavy rains. Hence, the outside world came to know about the tragedy late…”
A photo feature by Hindustan Times on the August 2020 landslide in Idukki district also carried the same image. “Debris lies on the ground after a landslide in Idukki on August 7. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had sounded a red alert for Idukki on August 7, indicating extremely heavy rains of over 20 centimetres in the coming days, PTI reported. (PTI),” its caption stated.
Furthermore, we found the image 2 to be from the 2020 Idukki landslide as well.
Displaying the viral image 2, a PTI report on the landslide stated, “Incessant rains induced landslides in Kerala’s Idukki seems to be claiming more lives as death toll nears 30 mark while the authorities say that 78 people were residing at the spot of landslide Now NDRF is carrying out the rescue work with sniffer dogs to bring more missing people out from the debris”
A video report by The Tribune on the landslide in Idukki district, dated August 9, 2020, also carried both the images.
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Conclusion
Hence, old images from Idukki have been falsely shared to show rescue work after the recent landslides in Wayanad.
Result: False
Sources
Report By PTI, Dated August 8, 2020
Report By The News Minute, Dated August 8, 2020
Report By Hindustan Times, Dated August 8, 2020
Report By PTI, Dated August 9, 2020
YouTube Video By The Tribune, Dated August 9, 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.
