Puri, Oct. 11 -- The serene Chilika Lake in Odisha presented a terrifying spectacle for the tourists on Friday when a tornado, described as a towering spiral of wind and water, appeared, creating awe and panic among the visitors.

Chilika Lake is a large, brackish lagoon located across the Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam districts of Odisha.

According to media reports, the tornado was seen southwest of Kalijai Temple, a famous spiritual and tourist landmark amid the waterbody, at a time when hundreds of tourists were enjoying the beautiful blue waters of the lake.

The tornado is being called 'Haathisundh' (meaning 'elephant's trunk'), a rare occurrence for Chilika Lake, famous for its calm waters and migratory birds.

The huge formation, resem...