Another whirlwind referred to as a ‘dust devil’ struck Cagayan de Oro City, this time hitting the parking area of a private hospital in Barangay Carmen.
A motorist, Jeson Tagaylo, captured the incident on video.
In the video, a swirling column of air and dust formed rapidly and moved across the ground. Debris can also be seen flying around, including what appeared to be the roof of a tricycle that was lifted by the strong winds.
The dust devil lasted only for a few minutes before dissipating.
“Before ato, kanang kalit lang man nga naay kusog nga hangin bitaw kanang bag-o lang nga hangin ba didto ra pud gyud sya sa may parking dapit. Ako gailis man ko adto kay magsuot man ko pang byahe sa motor kalit lang man nga kusog gyud kayo,” Tagaylo said.
No one was reported hurt in the incident. However, a tricycle nearby sustained damage.
State weather bureau PAGASA confirmed that the phenomenon was a dust devil or “alimpulos,” which usually occurs during hot weather when warm air on the ground meets cooler air above, causing a rotating updraft that lifts dust.
“Kahit naman na mukhang delikado o malakas ang isang dust devil kadalasan naman ito ay hindi masyadong delikado and tumatagal lamang ito ng ilang minute,” PAGASA Mindanao Weather Specialist 1, Carl Justine Navarro, said.
Recently, a dust devil also surfaced at a school in Barangay Bulua.
PAGASA reminded the public to avoid prolonged sun exposure.
“Kung wala naman tayong importanteng lakad sa labas mas mabuting manatili na lang tayo sa loob ng ating bahay na may maayos na bentelasyon para na rin sa ating sariling kaligtasan,” Navarro added.
