Waterspouts occurrence off Lido Beach shocks public

A month after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philipines, members of the public in Johor Baru were shocked to see a waterspout forming at Tebrau Strait off Lido Beach.

Misunderstanding it was a twister that could turn into a supercell and cause disaster, some felt scared but the incident which occurred around 4pm yesterday did not stop them from recording video clips and pictures with their handphones.

The videos and pictures were later uploaded and became viral overYouTube and Facebook.

One of those who witnessed the incident was Mohd Fadzli Abu Bakar, 34, an employee of Johor Corporation who was at his office at Level 10 of Menara Komtar in Johor Baru.

"I was doing my work in the office when I turned to the window and saw the early formation of the 'puting beliung'. I was shocked a bit but quickly grabbed my handphone to record it," he said when contacted by Bernama.

The waterspout decayed within two minutes without reaching full formation.
    
"However, another two minutes or more later, it occurred again and reached its full formation. It was a bit scary but exciting to see at the same time," he said.
    
A government staff member, Ahmad Rifae Wan Shukeri, 32, also witnessed the incident from the balcony of his apartment at Level 7, Bukit Saujana Apartment.
    
"This is the first time that I have seen such phenomenon. I was a bit shocked but not scared at all and took a good look at it from the balcony," he said, adding, however, it did not cross his mind to take any recordings at that time.
    
An officer from the Malaysia Meteorological Department confirmed that the occurrence was in fact a waterspout.
    
"Waterspouts are a normal occurrence especially during thunderstorms. It is a non-supercell tornado that usually occurs above the water," he said.
    
The officer confirmed that the department received several calls regarding the incident but its satellite did not register any significant details of it.
    
"We have analysed pictures and videos pertaining to the incident and confirm that it was not a twister but a waterspout," he said and urged the people to remain calm as waterspouts would only occur for a short time.

- Bernama

More pictures and a video here