Lightning safety rules

Filepic/The Star

THE video clip of a mini tornado that went viral (bit.ly/tornado_video) last week is the latest evidence that they do occur in this country although their existence was officially denied more than two decades ago. Whenever such incidents occurred, they are referred to in vague terms like land spouts, downbursts and even freak storms.

These incidents have been reported without fail every year but in different parts of the country, hence they may seem to be freak storms at those places only. Mini tornadoes are short-lived tornadoes that seem to appear out of nowhere and disappear just as fast even when there is no rain.