A dramatic funnel-shaped column spotted in the skies over Thoothukudi on Sunday triggered widespread speculation about a possible tornado in Tamil Nadu. But weather officials say the phenomenon, while unusual, was not a tornado.

Videos from the coastal district quickly spread across social media, showing a towering rotating column of dust and air beneath dark storm clouds. The striking visuals led many users to wonder whether Tamil Nadu had witnessed one of its rarest weather events.

The buzz intensified after weather enthusiast Navdeep Dahiya shared footage online, describing it as a possible tornado and calling it a rare sight for the state. The videos soon gained traction, with several social media users claiming that a tornado had touched down near Thoothukudi.

However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has dismissed those claims.

According to V.R. Durai, Director of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre in Chennai, the weather feature observed near the Thoothukudi airport area was most likely linked to intense thunderstorm activity rather than a tornado.

A report by Hindustan Times explained that an east-west trough positioned around 3.1 kilometres above sea level across southern Tamil Nadu had created favourable conditions for strong convective weather. The resulting thunderstorms generated powerful upward-moving air currents, lifting dust and creating a funnel-like structure beneath a cumulonimbus cloud.

Meteorologists believe the phenomenon was likely a localised convective vortex, dust whirl, or a short-lived funnel cloud — weather features that can resemble tornadoes but do not possess the strength or characteristics required to be classified as one.

While the weather system stopped short of being a tornado, the impact on the ground was significant.

Strong winds swept through parts of Thoothukudi, causing damage in and around the Vaagaikulam area. Temporary roofing sheets installed as part of the ongoing expansion works at Thoothukudi Airport were torn away by the gusts and hurled through the air.

Several people were seriously injured after metal sheets and debris fell on workers and members of the public near the airport expansion site, reported IANS. Visuals from the area showed uprooted branches, damaged vehicles, shattered glass and scattered construction material, highlighting the force of the winds.

The incident serves as a reminder that even non-tornadic storm systems can produce dangerous localised weather conditions capable of causing extensive damage within a short span of time.

Was there a tornado in Thoothukudi?

No. According to weather officials, the funnel-shaped formation seen over Thoothukudi was not a tornado. Experts say it was most likely a temporary funnel cloud or convective vortex created by strong thunderstorm updrafts, which can often appear similar to tornadoes in photographs and videos.