Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: The Odisha government on Monday issued a stern advisory against the circulation of false, misleading and speculative cyclone forecasts on social media, digital platforms and media channels, warning that those spreading fake disaster alerts and creating public panic could face legal action.

In an advisory issued by the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), the state government expressed serious concern over the increasing circulation of unverified information regarding impending cyclones and other severe weather events.

The government observed that certain individuals and self-proclaimed weather experts have been disseminating speculative cyclone tracks, landfall locations, timelines and impact assessments without adequate scientific validation or reference to official forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to the advisory, such unverified and sensationalised predictions can trigger unnecessary panic, disrupt normal economic activities and undermine public confidence in the government's disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.

The SRC highlighted that misleading cyclone warnings could prompt farmers to harvest standing crops prematurely, resulting in avoidable crop losses and financial hardship.

Similarly, unfounded fears of an impending cyclone could lead to panic buying, hoarding of essential commodities, artificial shortages and an escalation in market prices.

The government also warned that conflicting and misleading forecasts could create confusion among the public and adversely affect coordinated disaster preparedness, evacuation and emergency response measures.

Legal action under Disaster Management Act

Citing provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the government warned that spreading false disaster warnings could attract legal consequences.

Under Section 54 of the Act, anyone making or circulating a false alarm or warning regarding a disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, can face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine upon conviction.

The advisory also referred to Section 51, which deals with obstruction of official disaster management functions and refusal to comply with lawful directions issued by competent authorities. Violations may attract punishment under the Act, including enhanced penalties in circumstances involving loss of life or imminent danger.

The government made it clear that appropriate legal action would be initiated, wherever warranted, against individuals or entities deliberately circulating false disaster warnings, creating public panic or obstructing official disaster management operations.

The government also cautioned YouTube channel operators, Facebook page administrators, WhatsApp group operators and other digital content creators against generating or circulating fabricated cyclone tracks, misleading landfall predictions, exaggerated impact assessments or false disaster alerts.

Citizens have been advised to rely exclusively on official weather bulletins issued by the IMD and advisories disseminated by the SRC, district administrations and other competent authorities.