On a seemingly tranquil October afternoon in 2025, visitors to Odisha’s famed Chilika Lake were treated to a spectacle both mesmerizing and terrifying—a rare tornado, swirling like a giant elephant’s trunk, suddenly formed over the water, sending shockwaves through the crowd of unsuspecting tourists.To get more news about tornado in india, you can citynewsservice.cn official website.

The tornado, locally dubbed Haathisundh—a term that translates to “elephant’s trunk” in Odia—was spotted southwest of the Kalijai Temple, a revered shrine nestled on an island in the lake. The phenomenon, technically classified as a waterspout, is a type of tornado that forms over a body of water. While waterspouts are relatively common in regions like the Gulf of Mexico or the Great Lakes in North America, their appearance in India is exceedingly rare, especially over inland water bodies like Chilika.

Eyewitnesses described the event as surreal. “It looked like a giant column of water rising into the sky,” said one tourist. “At first, we thought it was a cloud formation, but then it started spinning rapidly, and people began to panic.” Videos of the tornado quickly went viral on social media, showing the swirling vortex towering above the lake, framed by the serene backdrop of the surrounding hills and waters.

Meteorologists later confirmed that the tornado was indeed a waterspout, triggered by a sudden shift in atmospheric pressure and temperature gradients over the lake. Biswajit Sahoo, a state meteorologist, explained that while Odisha is no stranger to cyclones due to its coastal location, tornadoes remain an anomaly. “Waterspouts are extremely rare in this part of India,” he noted. “They require very specific conditions—warm water, high humidity, and a particular wind shear pattern. It’s a reminder of how dynamic and unpredictable our weather systems can be”.

Fortunately, the tornado lasted only a few minutes and dissipated without causing any injuries or significant damage. However, the psychological impact on those present was profound. Many tourists were seen fleeing the area in fear, while others stood frozen, captivated by the raw power of nature. Local authorities quickly moved in to ensure safety and calm the crowd.

Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, is a biodiversity hotspot and a popular tourist destination, especially during the migratory bird season. The sudden appearance of a tornado in such a peaceful setting has sparked discussions about the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns in the region. Some experts have linked such rare events to broader climate change trends, suggesting that rising sea surface temperatures and shifting monsoon behaviors could be contributing factors.

This is not the first time India has witnessed tornado activity, though such events are sporadic and often underreported. Historical records show occasional tornadoes in states like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, with some causing significant damage. However, the visual impact of a tornado over a scenic lake, especially one as iconic as Chilika, has left a lasting impression on the public consciousness.

In the aftermath, local officials have emphasized the need for better weather monitoring systems and public awareness campaigns. “We need to educate people on how to respond to such rare but potentially dangerous events,” said a spokesperson from the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority. “Preparedness is key, even for phenomena we don’t often see.”

As the skies over Chilika return to their usual calm, the memory of the swirling Haathisundh lingers. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nature’s might—a reminder of the beauty and unpredictability of the world we live in.