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
Videos showing impact of Cyclone Fengal in Chennai.
Fact
Old videos falsely linked to the present situation in Chennai.
As Cyclone Fengal wreaks havoc across Tamil Nadu, social media platforms are rife with unverified visuals of flooding, inundation and rainfall with users linking them to the current situation. Newschecker investigated two such videos allegedly showing the impact of Cyclone Fengal in Chennai, and found that they were old, and unrelated to the present conditions in the city.
Claim 1
A live electric wire falls on the water-logged street in Chennai causing a spark.
The post can be seen here.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video led us to a YouTube video by @ViralPosts247, dated October 20, 2024. Carrying the same clip, it stated, “Downed Power Line in Can Tho City, Vietnam.”
Also Read: 2022 Video Of Fight Over Land Linked To Recent Attacks Against Hindus In Bangladesh
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “Can Tho,” “electric wire” and “flooded road” in Vietnamese on Google which yielded a report by Vietnam Plus, dated October 16, 2024. Carrying the same clip, it stated, “Shocking scene of broken power line falling onto flooded street in Can Tho. The video makes people scared when witnessing the broken electric wire creating a dangerous and strange sparking phenomenon on the water surface (translated from Vietnamese via Google).
Another news outlet KÊNH VTC14 shared the clip on YouTube in October 2024 to show an incident from Can Tho City.
Hence, an old video from Vietnam has been falsely shared to show a loose electric wire on a flooded road in Chennai amid Cyclone Fengal.
Claim 2
Marina beach road in Chennai flooded under the impact of Cyclone Fengal.
The post can be seen here.
Also Read: Old, Unrelated Image Of Military Vehicle Convoy In Seoul Viral Amid Recent Martial Law Declaration
Fact Check/Verification
An X post by @alhemamkw2, dated September 3, 2024, carried the same video, and stated, “Heavy rains on the roads of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia now (translated from Arabic via Google).”
The video was also shared on YouTube by @yahyafarsi1430 in September 2024 to show the situation in Jeddah following heavy rainfall. User @malik.ajab also posted it on Facebook on September 3, 2024.
It was also shared on website ‘Newsflare’ on September 3, 2024 with the caption, “Heavy rain has flooded the streets of Jeddah.”
We were not able to ascertain the exact location of the video. However, it dates back to at least September 2024 and is not linked to the current situation in cyclone-hit Chennai.
Also Read: US, Canada Have Not Banned Entry Of Amit Shah, Ajit Doval and Gautam Adani; False Claim Goes Viral
Conclusion
Hence, old and unrelated visuals have been shared to show the impact of Cyclone Fengal in Chennai.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By @ViralPosts247, Dated October 20, 2024
Report By Vietnam Plus, Dated October 16, 2024
YouTube Video By KÊNH VTC14, Dated October 17, 2024
X Post By @alhemamkw2, Dated September 3, 2024
YouTube Video By @yahyafarsi1430, Dated September 3, 2024
Facebook Post By @malik.ajab, Dated September 3, 2024
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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.
