Nature’s spectacle: Stunning waterspout captured over Odisha’s Chilika Lake

A mesmerizing natural spectacle unfolded over Chilika Lake, leaving locals and tourists awestruck as a towering waterspout, resembling a mini hurricane, formed and spiraled skyward in a breathtaking display of nature’s power.

The rare phenomenon was reportedly captured near the Maa Kalijai Temple, showing tranquil blue waters suddenly swirling into a powerful vortex that rose dramatically toward the sky. In the footage, the spinning column of air and mist appears like an elephant’s trunk, twisting gracefully as it connects the lake’s surface to the clouds above.

The event, which lasted several minutes, drew widespread attention, with onlookers capturing videos and sharing them online. Since the incident, believed to have occurred two days ago, multiple clips and different angles of the waterspout have gone viral, captivating viewers across Odisha and beyond.

Also Read: Giant whirlwind over Chilika sparks panic among visitors and fishermen

Interestingly, this is not the first time such a phenomenon has been witnessed at Chilika Lake. A similar waterspout was recorded in the Gambhari area in 2020, when residents were equally stunned by the meteorological marvel.

Experts explain that waterspouts occur when warm, moist air rises rapidly over a large water body, meeting cooler air above and creating a spinning column of air and water droplets. Though short-lived, these events are among nature’s most visually striking and rare occurrences, blending science and spectacle in equal measure.