Claim:
A viral video circulating on social media claims to show a dramatic lightning strike hitting a football field in Sangrama, Sopore in north Kashmir.
Fact Check by The Chenab Times:
The Chenab Times investigated the origins of the viral clip and has determined that the video is not from Sangrama, Sopore, and the claim is false.
The footage, which shows a bolt of lightning striking near a fenced football ground during heavy rain, has been widely shared across platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Some posts attribute it to recent weather conditions in Sopore, further fueling local speculation and concern.
However, a detailed reverse search and verification process by The Chenab Times found that the same video has appeared online multiple times before, with no connection to Sopore or even Kashmir.
Key Findings:
The earliest traceable instance of this video dates back to November 14, 2023, when it was posted on Instagram by a user with no reference to Kashmir.
The same footage resurfaced under different contexts, including:
- A TikTok video from November 29, 2023, labeling it as “Worst tornado storms.”
- An October 2024 clip that incorrectly claimed it was from West Florida.
- A recent April 2024 video tagging it as a scene from the Dubai floods.
Visual analysis confirms that all these posts show the identical lightning strike, but with no consistent or credible location metadata.
This pattern of misattribution is common during extreme weather events, where viral content is recycled and falsely localized to attract views or incite panic.
The viral video does not show a lightning strike in Sangrama, Sopore. It is a misattributed, recycled video with a history of being falsely claimed as footage from multiple locations worldwide. Residents and social media users are urged to verify such content before sharing.
The Chenab Times remains committed to combating misinformation and providing accurate, timely reporting.
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Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times
