Although it did not cause any injuries or damages, the waterspout or “buhawi” spotted above Mactan Island was a dangerous natural phenomenon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Pagasa Mactan weather specialist Alice Canasa told The FREEMAN yesterday that once a mammatus cloud forms in the atmosphere, residents should immediately move to safer grounds as it is an indication of a waterspout.
Mammatus, also known as mammatocumulus, which means “bumpy clouds,” is a meteorological term applied to a cellular pattern of pouches hanging underneath the base of a cloud.
The name “mammatus” is derived from the Latin mamma (breast), due to the resemblance between the shape of this cloud and the human female breasts, according to wikipedia.com.
“Kadto lamang experience namo sa Manila, tangtang g’yud ang sin sa among puloy-anan. Dili jud ta magkumpyansa kay kanang buhawi, bisan building, kaya jud laruton ana,” Canasa said.
The waterspout, which whirled for five to ten minutes, was spotted 10 kilometers northeast from the Pagasa Mactan office.
Some residents who saw the waterspout, which occurred at 4 p.m., said it dramatically rose from the seawaters then lowered until it eventually dispersed into the waters.
According to Canasa, Cebu is frequently hit by waterspout but it was the first time that it occurred in Mactan. Waterspout could run as fast as 200 to 300 kilometers per hour.
Canasa said they could have used radar to predict the occurrence of the waterspout but, unfortunately, it did not cross their minds that such natural phenomenon could take place the other day. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/LPM