Fighting Fake News Amidst Kerala Floods: How You Can Join The Govt In Tackling Rumours!

Meanwhile, a start-up has joined the fight against fake news to help the authorities who are grappling with the immensely challenging circumstances!

By Rinchen Norbu Wangchuk

August 17, 2018

On Thursday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinari Vijayan heavily criticised those spreading fake news about the ongoing floods on social media. The state is facing its worst floods in over a century—over 2,23,000 have been displaced, and approximately 324 are dead.

“I wish to inform all that the state government will now take very strict (punitive) action against such people,” said Vijayan.

Abstain from spreading misinformation on whatsapp & social media networks. Many rumours & fake news are surfacing. Listen for official announcements. Follow the CMO handles in Twitter & FB; FB pages of Ministers, District Collectors, Kerala Police & Fire force. #KeralaFloods2018
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 16, 2018

Speaking to the media, Idukki District Collector Jeevan Babu, clarified that a lot of fake news surrounding the fate of the ancient Mullaperiyar Dam have surfaced on social media.

For representational purposes only. (Source: Twitter/Renjith Thomas and Pixabay)

“All the news about the safety of the dam is absolutely baseless and unfounded, and I wish to state that there are no such issues at all. The state government has now decided to take action against all those who spread fake news,” Mr Babu told the media.

GiveIndia and The Better India have come together to help Rebuild Kerala by supporting 41,000 affected families. You too can be a part of this movement and help us raise funds for the NGOs working to rehabilitate these families. If all of us come together with a small monthly contribution, we can make a real and meaningful difference in helping restore normalcy to those who need our help the most.

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Alert: People in the low lying areas along Chalakudy river and its tributaries are requested to move to higher locations as a precautionary measure. All stranded people are being attended by the forces in maximum capacity. #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/6QWiTj2Guc
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 16, 2018

Meanwhile, a Kozhikode-based start-up has joined hands with the city traffic police to help fight the spread of fake news through their social networking app, QKopy.

Many roads in the city have been submerged, and the traffic police is using the app to generate awareness, issue directions on which route to use and offer regular updates.

Also Read: An Internet Challenge for Good: Join Actor Siddharth’s ‘Kerala Donation Challenge’ Now!

“The app, available for both the iPhone and the Google operating systems, works based on the telephone number of the user. However, it is currently designed as a one-way communication system which would help an entity or a person to broadcast to any number of people who have saved the particular mobile number to their phone, through the app,” reports Business Standard.

Meanwhile, you can go on Twitter and track the official government handles given below:

National Disaster Response Force (@NDRFHQ)

Indian Navy (@indiannavy)

Press Information Bureau (@PIB_India)

Chief Minister of Kerala (@CMOKerala)

Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard)

These are trusted sources, and you can receive the latest news and updates from them.

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

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