[VIDEO/PHOTOS] Shocking Tornado-Like Phenomenon In Johor
Residents of Johor Bahru were shocked to see a tornado-like phenomenon off Lido Beach yesterday evening (18 December 2013). Some were worried that the phenomenon could develop into a strong twister, but it did not stop them from taking photos and videos.
By Mei Mei Chu — 19 Dec 2013, 11:16 AM — Updated about 11 years ago
WATCH: A Tornado-Like Phenomenon Was Spotted In Johor And Singapore At About 4pm On 19 December 2013
Photos And Videos Of The Rare Phenomenon From Residents In Johor And Singapore Went Viral Over Social Media Sites
In Johor, The "Tornado" Was Spotted Off Lido Beach. It Could Be Seen From Johor Bahru Town, Dataran Johor Bahru And JB Waterfront.
Student Mohd Aqil Mohd Faiz, 17, said he first spotted the weather phenomenon at around 4pm while driving along Jalan Skudai here.
"It just appeared out of nowhere and I could clearly see it from my car," he said, adding that it was both exciting and scary to witness the phenomenon.
thestar.com.myHasliana Mohamed, 33, said she saw it from her office at the Hospital Sultanah Aminah at around 4.40pm.
"I saw it forming followed by strong winds. I felt frightened and quickly rushed to my car to drive back home," she said.
thestar.com.myIn Singapore, Netizens Shared Photos Of The Occurance Taken From Marsiling, Woodsland Checkpoint, And Neo Tiew Road Area
Many People Mistook The Phenomenon As A Tornado Or "Puting Beliung" In Bahasa Melayu
Misunderstanding it was a twister that could turn into a supercell and cause disaster, some felt scared but the incident which occurred around 4pm did not stop them from recording video clips and pictures with their handphones.
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However, The Meteorological Department Says It Was Actually A Waterspout Or "Belalaian Air" That Commonly Occurs In Malaysia
An officer from the Malaysia Meteorological Department confirmed that the occurence was in fact a waterspout.
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He added that the Department received several calls pertaining to the occurrence, but there was nothing registered on their satellites.
"We then analysed pictures and videos pertaining to the incident and confirmed that it was not a twister but a water spout," he said.
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Waterspouts Are Normal Occurrences Especially During Thunderstorms. It Usually Occurs Above Water And Are Not As Strong As Twisters.
"Water spouts are a normal occurrence especially during thunderstorms.
"Unlike twisters or tornadoes, water spouts usually occur above the water and the winds from it are not as strong as twisters," he said.
thestar.com.my“Fenomena ini amat biasa berlaku di Malaysia. Ia biasanya berlaku di kawasan perairan disebabkan kumules awan yang besar,” katanya kepada Astro AWANI. “Ia memerlukan kelembapan yang tinggi. Oleh sebab itu, ia biasanya akan bermula dan mati di kawasan perairan,” katanya.
The Waterspout That Occurred Yesterday Only Lasted For Two Minutes Before Decaying
The spokesperson added that water spouts appeared only for brief periods and urged residents to remain calm.
thestar.com.myThe waterspout decayed within two minutes without reaching full formation.
"However, another two minutes or more later, it occured again and reached its full formation. It was a bit scary but exciting to see at the same time," Mohd Fadzli Abu Bakar, 34 said.
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Though The Waterspout Was Not Threatening, The Strong Winds Reportedly Damaged A Roof In Bukit Panjang Area, Singapore
Viewer also tells us strong wind caused damage to a roof in Bukit Panjang area around 5pm Photo credit: Rajah Krishna
Image via Channel NewsAsia SingaporeThe Malaysian Meteorological Department Advises Fisherman And People Near The Waterspout To Stay Away From It
Namun demikian, Amirzudi berkata belalai air boleh mencederakan orang ramai jika didekati.
“Saya nasihatkan para nelayan dan sesiapa yang berada di sekitar kawasan tersebut untuk jangan cuba menghampiri belalai air,” katanya.
In July, A Stunning Image Of The Waterspout Phenomenon In Florida Also Went Viral On Social Media
In July, Social Media Citizens Learn Of This Phenomenon Known As 'Waterspout' When A Stunning Image Of The Phenomenon Was Captured In Florida
Image via amazonaws.com