Misleading Video Shared as Cyclone Shaheen in Oman
The Claim
A video depicts tropical Cyclone Shaheen approaching Oman.
News posted on
Emerging story
A video of a cyclone is circulating on social media, in both English and Arabic. The accompanying claim is that the video depicts tropical Cyclone Shaheen moving inwards, which recently hit Oman. Users sent prayers and support to Oman.
Misbar’s Analysis
A Google reverse image search was conducted using a still shot of the video, seen below.
The results were investigated, which led to a video dated 18 June 2021 on Youtube.
The video was uploaded by Vizag Vision and is titled “Bheemili Beach Cool Weather, Clouds Touching Waves, Visakhapatnam by Vizag Vision”. Visakhapatnam is a port city in India. During the same period, the Cyclone Warning Centre of Visakhapatnam released a warning of expected thunderstorms.
Given the findings and that the video was uploaded in June, the Misbar team confirms that it does not depict the recent Cyclone Shaheen which hit Oman but rather thunderstorms in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Shaheen hit on Sunday, left at least six people dead, and led to the evacuations of over 2,700 people to emergency shelters.
