Fake Updates Add to Panic
Suhail Khan
Srinagar: A strong earthquake hit the valley, disrupting telecommunication services and creating panic among the residents. However, WhatsApp emerged as a crucial tool for communication among the affected individuals.
Eyewitnesses reported that people rushed out of their homes to safer places as soon as the earthquake struck. Women and children were seen crying, and Quranic verses were recited by the frightened residents.
Fayaz Ahmad, a local resident of Srinagar told Kashmir Despatch said that it was a moment of panic and that people felt like it was their last moment of life.
As mobile phone calls were disrupted, WhatsApp became the go-to platform for communication. It helped people to connect with their loved ones and share updates on the situation.
However, social media was flooded with fake and baseless reports, creating more panic among the residents.
Some social media pages uploaded a report of three persons killed in north Kashmir’s Karnah due to the earthquake, which turned out to be false. Additionally, a fake image of the old Turkey earthquake was also shared, creating more panic across the valley.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, it was also reported that the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) developed cracks. The full extent of the damage caused by the earthquake is yet to be determined.
The earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of reliable communication channels during emergencies. As the situation in the valley unfolds, residents are urged to rely on official sources for updates and refrain from spreading unverified information on social media.
Reacting to the baseless report, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara tweeted
“I am myself in Karnah. There is no loss of life or property. The news spread on social media platforms regarding the three deaths is fake, concocted, and baseless. Please don’t spread such fake news.
Meanwhile, Doctors at a hospital in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district kept their nerve to deliver a baby through the lower-segment cesarean section.
”Kudos to staff of SDH Bijbehara who conducted the LSCS smoothly and thank god everything is alright,” according to a tweet from the the district’s chief medical officer. The tweet included a video that showed how the staff focused on the job while everything around them was shaking.
Pertinently, An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale jolted Kashmir and several parts of the country on Tuesday night.
The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 10:17 p.m. IST, was in the Hindukush region of Afghanistan.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
