Massive tornado slammed Minglanilla, Cebu, Philippines

A massive tornado slammed the towns of Minglanilla and Talisay in Cebu, Philippines on June 17, 2013. Twister caused significant infrastructural damage and downing trees. The tornado originally started off as a waterspout before coming ashore and inflicting damage on 55 houses. According to PhilStar, one person was reported injured as the tornado ripped through coastal barangays of Calajoan and Tungkil in Minglanilla, and Pooc and Mohon in Talisay City. 

According to Oscar Tabada, chief of the Mactan station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), tornado reached an intensity of more than 200 km/h with a diameter of less than one kilometer and lasted for 20-30 minutes.

The Western Pacific Weather experts pointed weather pattern over the Philippines has been very unsettled this week due to a Tropical Storm Leepi developing east of the country, enhancing the south west monsoon backed by heavy rainfall and severe weather across the Philippines. 

Sources: Western Pacific Weather, PhilStar

​Featured image: Tornado seen over Minglanilla, Cebu, Philippines (Credit: Bazics)