Near Odisha's Puri, a rare elephant trunk-like waterspout emerges from the sea. Tourists stunned. How does it form?

Tourists visiting Odisha’s coastline recently witnessed a dramatic sight that looked straight out of a disaster movie. As dark clouds gathered over the Bay of Bengal near Puri’s Astaranga coast, a massive funnel-shaped column slowly descended from the sky toward the sea, creating a swirling vortex on the water below. Videos of the rare phenomenon quickly spread online, leaving many stunned by the elephant-trunk-like formation emerging from the ocean. The unusual weather event appeared amid stormy conditions triggered by a developing low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.

According to reports by NDTV and Odisha local news outlets, the rare waterspout was spotted off the Astaranga coast in Odisha’s Puri district. Eyewitnesses described how the weather changed suddenly on Saturday afternoon as dark rain-bearing clouds gathered over the sea. Within minutes, a long funnel-shaped structure extended downward from the clouds toward the ocean surface.

Hatisunda

The formation closely resembled an elephant’s trunk, which is why locals refer to the phenomenon as Hatisunda in the regional dialect. Beneath the funnel, people could see swirling water forming a visible vortex on the sea surface. The sight quickly drew the attention of tourists and locals. The event came as weather conditions across eastern India turned unstable.

So, what exactly is a waterspout?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a waterspout is a spinning column of air and water mist that forms over a body of water. NOAA explains that waterspouts are generally divided into two categories: tornadic waterspouts and fair-weather waterspouts.

Tornadic waterspouts are essentially tornadoes that either form over water or move from land toward water. These are associated with severe thunderstorms and are often accompanied by dangerous weather conditions such as high winds, rough seas, hail, and lightning.

Fair-weather waterspouts, however, form differently. NOAA states that they usually develop beneath dark, flat-based cumulus clouds and are not always linked to thunderstorms. Unlike tornadoes that develop downward from storm clouds, fair-weather waterspouts begin forming at the water surface and gradually build upward toward the clouds. By the time the funnel becomes clearly visible, the waterspout is already near its mature stage.

These waterspouts generally form in lighter wind conditions and tend to move slowly.

IMD weather forecast

According to PTI, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across several parts of Odisha over the next five days. The changing weather pattern is being linked to a low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal.

PTI further reported that Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain said a trough extending from Bihar to Coastal Andhra Pradesh through Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh continues to influence weather conditions in the region.

He also noted that an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Sri Lanka region is likely to lead to the formation of a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal within the next 48 hours. Due to these systems, widespread rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds ranging between 30 kmph and 50 kmph are expected across several parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

Authorities have advised residents to avoid open spaces during thunderstorms and seek shelter in safe buildings. Farmers and cattle rearers were also asked not to stand under trees and to remain cautious during agricultural activities.