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 the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy.
Fact
Unrelated videos from the US, and Egypt have been falsely linked to the cyclone. Additionally, an-year-old video has also been shared to show the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy.
Over 37,000 people evacuated, multiple trains cancelled and the disaster response teams on stand-by – the authorities are bracing up as Cyclone Biparjoy barrels towards the Gujarat Coast. It is expected to make landfall at Saurashtra and Kutch regions and adjoining Pakistan coasts on June 15. In this background, multiple images and videos claiming to show the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy have surfaced on social media. Newschecker investigated three such videos, and found them to be unrelated to Cyclone Biparjoy.
Video 1
A video of a boat seemingly stranded in the middle of a sea overturns after being hit by strong waves has gone viral on social media platforms. Those who shared the clip claimed that the boat was capsized under the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Old Video Of Tree Swaying Fiercely Falsely Linked To Cyclone Biparjoy
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens image search on the keyframes of the viral clip led us to a video report by Times Of India, dated February 4, 2023, titled “Huge wave capsizes boat as rookie U.S. Coast Guard swimmer rescues man from ocean.”
The report featured the viral clip, and stated, “A newly minted Coast Guard rescue swimmer saved a man’s life at the mouth of the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington state just after a giant wave rolled the yacht he was piloting and threw him into the surf…Petty Officer Michael Clark says the agency received a mayday call at about 10 a.m., with no additional information.”
Furthermore, a video report by CNN, dated February 6, 2023, also carried the footage to show a rescue by the US Coast Guard.
The video was also shared on the Twitter handle of the US CG Pacific Northwest on February 4, 2023, detailing the incident.
Hence, a video of a rescue operation by the US Coast Guard in February has been falsely linked to show a boat capsizing in the middle of the sea under the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy.
Video 2
A footage of a man narrowly escaping being hit by a shed amid gushing wind is being shared online. Those who shared the clip asserted that it is Keti Bandar in Pakistan’s Sindh, and linked it to Cyclone Biparjoy.
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Also Read: Old Video Of Massive Waves Crashing Against Bridge Falsely Linked To Cyclone Biparjoy
Fact Check/Verification
We looked up the keyframes of the viral video on Google lens led us to a Facebook post by Prudent Media, dated May 11, 2022. It carried the clip with the caption, “#ViralVideo: Watch high winds blow away shed in Karnataka”
A YouTube channel “love from Goa news” also shared the viral footage on May 11, 2022 with the same caption.
Another Facebook post by @ANDALINFO, dated May 10, 2022, linked the viral clip to Cyclone Asani.
The footage was also posted on Twitter by @ludiaapynz on May 11, 2022 to show the impact of Cyclone Asani.
Notably, Cyclone Asani hit Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal in May 2022
We were not independently able to ascertain whether the video is from Karnataka, or the Cyclone Asani-hit states. However, it has been in circulation since at least May 202, and hence unrelated to Cyclone Biparjoy.
Video 3
A video of a massive sandstorm progressing over sea surface, and engulfing ships on its way has also been linked to Cyclone Biparjoy. Multiple Twitter users shared the footage to show “Scenes of the storm moving towards the coastal areas of Karachi and Gujarat.”
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Digitally Altered Video From 2022 Shared As Cyclone Biparjoy Off Gujarat Coast Near Dwarka
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the keyframes of the viral video yielded a report by Baja News, dated June 5, 2023, titled “Sandstorm covers Egypt and reaches Israel.” Displaying a slightly shorter version of the viral clip, the report elaborated on a “ a giant sandstorm covered Cairo as it passed through the Suez Canal and reached Israel, leaving one person dead and several injured in its wake.”
The footage was also shared by YouTube channel Disaster Compilations on June 7, 2023 to show a “huge dust storm” hitting the Suez Canal in Egypt.
Carrying snippets of the viral clip, a report by BBC, dated June 2, 2023, stated, “A video posted online shows a sandstorm surrounding the Suez Canal, which led to authorities closing two ports. Parts of Egypt have been hit by clouds of dust and sand.”
Other reports on the sandstorm in Egypt can be seen here, here and here.
Hence, the video actually shows a sandstorm in Egypt and has been falsely linked to Cyclone Biparjoy.
Conclusion
We can thus conclude that unrelated videos from the US and Egypt have been shared to show the impact of Cyclone Biparjoy. Additionally, a-year-old footage has also been falsely linked to the cyclone.
Result: Fasle
Sources
Report By Times Of India, Dated February 4, 2023
Report By CNN, Dated February 6, 2023
Tweet By @USCGPacificNW, Dated February 4, 2023
Facebook Post By Prudent Media, Dated May 11, 2022
Facebook Post By @ANDALINFO, Dated May 10, 2022
Report By Baja News, Dated June 5, 2023
YouTube Video By Disaster Compilations, Dated June 7, 2023
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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.
