Nepal Authorities Crack Down on AI-Generated Misinformation Following Devastating Flash Floods

KATHMANDU — Following the devastating flash floods and mudslides that struck northern and central Nepal, the country is managing rescue and relief operations alongside a wave of online misinformation. Fake and artificial intelligence-generated visuals have inundated social media platforms, prompting government intervention.

The Nepal Press Council, the country's media regulatory body, has launched a dedicated reporting portal titled 'Special Complaints on the Bhotekoshi Incident.' This platform allows the public to report misinformation and graphic material related to the disaster. According to Nepal Press Council Chairman Umesh Shrestha, the council had received 101 complaints by 5 pm on Saturday, leading to instructions for 72 social media users to remove inappropriate content posted primarily through personal accounts.

Authorities and fact-checkers noted that while some shared footage is genuine, several widely circulated videos and images have been recycled from earlier events, sourced from disasters in other countries, or fabricated using artificial intelligence. The rapid spread of misleading content has complicated information sharing as families search for missing relatives and authorities assess the extent of the damage.

Investigators and fact-checking organizations have identified multiple instances of digital deception. A widely shared video claiming to show a home minister assisting with rescue operations inside a tunnel was traced back to a rescue operation in Uttarakhand, India, originally posted on August 14. Another video on X, depicting a catastrophic flood, garnered over seven million views but was flagged by AI detection tools and community notes as fabricated. Similarly, a video purporting to show a bridge collapsing during the Nepal-Tibet floods was assessed as entirely AI-generated, and "before and after" photographs of a Rasuwa settlement were found to be fabricated.

Fact-checkers have also debunked claims regarding a glacial lake outburst flood in Rasuwa, tracing the footage to a glacial outburst in Alaska. While mainstream media organizations have largely avoided publishing misleading information and graphic visuals, personal accounts and some online news portals have continued to circulate unverified or graphic content depicting bodies and injuries.

In response to the crisis, the government's Social Media Regulation and Management Committee has begun discussions with social media platforms to address graphic content, AI-generated misinformation, fake QR codes, and online deception.

The flash floods, believed to have been triggered by a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border, struck on August 26. The Bhotekoshi River carried floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads, bridges, and hydropower projects. Authorities report that over 900 people were killed, and more than 4,245 people remain missing.

"The proliferation of AI-generated misinformation during a crisis highlights the critical need for robust digital verification frameworks. As digital platforms become primary sources of information, businesses, media outlets, and regulatory bodies must collaborate to maintain information integrity. Unchecked digital deception not only misleads the public during emergencies but also undermines trust in digital platforms. Establishing dedicated reporting mechanisms and regulatory oversight is an essential step toward ensuring accountability in the digital ecosystem." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes