Giant ‘tornado-like’ cloud in Tacloban signals thunderstorm

An enormous "tornado-like" cloud formation was spotted over Tacloban City Airport on Saturday, with videos of the phenomenon going viral.

“[N]akakatakot siya. Hindi siya joke. This happened bago bumuhos 'yung napakalakas na ulan, but before pa umulan, napakalakas naman ng hangin,” said Facebook user Jinky Joanna in a post.

In a report by Rida Reyes on “24 Oras” this Sunday, PAGASA said that the event signals a severe thunderstorm, with similar incidents happening often in areas near the ocean and other large bodies of water.

“Hindi 'yan tornado. 'Yan ang hitsura ng severe thunderstorm. Nagkaroon ng thunderstorm dulot ng Inter Tropical Convergence Zone,” said weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio.

He added, “Iwasan kung maaari kasi may kidlat 'yan, at ang unang tatamaan ay 'yung pinakamalapit sa base ng thunderstorm.”

Flights to and from Tacloban City Airport have not been cancelled due to the incident.

Residents near the area are advised to take caution for possible flash floods caused by the thunderstorm. — Bianca Rose Dabu/BM, GMA News