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This is the moment a small sand tornado forms in the middle of a desert packed with tourists on a calm sunny day as a drone flies right up to capture the rare spectacle.
The peculiar phenomena, also called a dust devil, was recorded by visitors at the Heidu Mountain Scenic Area in Qinghai, China.
The video, shared online on 17th August, shows the dust whirl spinning in the distance while tourists can be seen nearby marvelling at the unusual sight.
At one point, the drone can be seen hovering close to the mini-tornado as it drifts past people standing directly beneath it without causing any obvious distress.
A spokesperson from the Mangya City Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Broadcasting Bureau later explained that the area has complex natural conditions, including alkaline-saline flatlands and desert terrain, and that such mini-tornadoes sometimes appear when the wind blows.
The official added that tornadoes are not common in scenic areas but are seen more frequently in uninhabited zones.
On the issue of safety, the official stressed that these small tornadoes are much weaker than larger ones, making injuries unlikely.
However, they warned tourists not to enter them because a small tornado can grow stronger and potentially develop into a sandstorm.
(Simona Kitanovska / newsX)
Byline Journalist: Simona Kitanovska
Byline Sub editor: Simona Kitanovska
Byline Spotter: Ivica Stojanovski
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Simona Kitanovska
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Video Editor: Aloysius Fernandes
Byline Copychecker: Emily Wu
Byline Illustrator: Angela Trajkovska
Byline News Editor: Mike Leidig
Geography: Mangnai
Subject: Tourism Business, Nature, Weather, Wind, Tornado/whirlwind, Social media
T4 Editor Story Rating: 6
T4 Editor Pic/Vid rating: 9
T4 Total rating: 7.5
