Tornadoes are strong thunderstorms that appear as rotating columns of air and can be destructive. They are rare but not unheard of in India. On Friday, visitors at Odisha’s Chilika Lake were left stunned when they witnessed a massive tornado forming right before their eyes. The rare sight left them panicked yet amazed. Videos of the phenomenon are now going viral on social media.
Tornado Appears Over Chilika Lake In Odisha
Massive rare Tornado struck
Odisha’s coast out of nowhere. Stunned everyone pic.twitter.com/eUempKdRxc— desi mojito (@desimojito) October 11, 2025
Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in India, located on the east coast of Odisha, attracts many visitors throughout the year. But on Friday, a sky-high tornado appeared right in front of them, leaving people scared yet surprised. According to a report by Times Now, the massive tornado, also known as a ‘waterspout’, was seen southwest of the temple of Goddess Kalijai, the presiding deity of Chilika Lake. The visuals were also shared by X user, @desimojito, yesterday.
Reportedly, a sudden change in atmospheric pressure created a towering spiral of wind and water. The sight naturally triggered panic among visitors, many of whom screamed and ran for safety. The tornado resembled an elephant’s trunk, which led visitors to name it “Haathisundh.”
Rare Yet Beautiful Phenomenon
The rare occurrence was truly a sight to behold. Some visitors managed to capture the visuals of the tornado on their mobile phones as the activity lasted only a few minutes before fading away. Though tornadoes are uncommon in India, they mostly occur in eastern and northeastern parts of the country, including Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam.
While tornadoes can be dangerous and destructive, fortunately, the ‘Hathisundh’ caused no damage. As per the same report, in 2009, a tornado in West Bengal killed over 100 people and destroyed several homes. In 2021, another one hit the same state, damaging many buildings.
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The Chilika tornado was fleeting yet powerful. It looked alluring, yes, but it could have easily turned dangerous as well. What did you think of the tornado visuals? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Cover Image Courtesy: @desimojito/ X
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