2021 video shared as dog being rescued after recent landslides in Kerala's Wayanad

(Trigger warning: The following article contains descriptions and a video of animals in distress and pain, which some readers may find distressing. Viewer discretion is advised.)

What is the claim?

A video showing a dog wailing beneath a mound of mud while people come to its rescue is circulating on social media. The video is being claimed to be from the recent massive landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. A post on X (formerly Twitter) shared the video with the caption: “Big salute to rescue team....A dog and her two puppies rescued from Landslide,” and included hashtags such as “#WayanadDisaster #WaynadLandslide #Disaster.” As of the time of writing, the post has garnered 93,100 views.

Other users have shared the video with similar claims, and archived versions are available here, here, and here.

Screenshots of viral posts circulating on social media. (Source: X/Screenshot/Modified by Logically Facts)

On July 30, 2024, a series of massive landslides struck Kerala’s Wayanad district, particularly affecting the Chooral Mala and Mundakkai areas near Meppadi. The disaster has resulted in at least 256 deaths and several injuries, with rescue operations still ongoing to locate missing individuals.

However, our investigation reveals that the now-viral video is old and was captured in the Palakkad district of Kerala. 

What did we find?

A reverse image search of the viral clip led us to a YouTube video uploaded by Manorama News, a Malayalam news channel, on October 13, 2021 (archived here). In the video, a speaker mentions finding the dog stuck under mud after landslides caused by heavy rains. Out of six puppies, only two survived. Although the location is not specified in the video, it is evident that it predates the recent Wayanad landslides.

Screenshot of the video shared by Manorama News. (Source: YouTube)

Another channel, News Capture 24 (archived here), also uploaded the same video on October 13, 2021.

Further investigation revealed a report by The News Minute, published on October 14, 2021. The report details the rescue of a dog and her two puppies in a village near Kanjirathani, Kumaranelloor, Palakkad district, following a minor landslide. The report included a link to the Manorama News video.

The New Indian Express also reported on the incident, confirming the rescue took place in the Palakkad district. The report featured a frame from the viral clip, showing the dog being sheltered after the rescue.

The verdict

A video of the dog being rescued in Palakkad district in 2021 is being misrepresented as footage from the recent landslides in Wayanad.