Waterspout off the Northern Lebanese coast, Nov. 1, 2022. (Courtesy of Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — A waterspout was observed on Tuesday afternoon off the coast between the towns of Amchit and Batroun, in North Lebanon, our correspondent in the region reported.
No injuries or damage have been reported so far. The phenomenon reportedly occurred due to temperature differences between the upper and lower atmospheric layers, with strong winds in a spiral movement and thunderstorms, a kind of long pipe of clouds forming at sight.
Waterspouts are generally less violent than land-based tornadoes and usually last only a few minutes. Last May, a waterspout formed off the coast of Mina causing one injury and material damage on the seafront of the northern Lebanese town.
Additional reporting by Michel Hallak