Do you know... ABOUT TORNADOES IN MALAYSIA ?

> A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with the earth’s surface (land or water) and is commonly associated with a severe thunderstorm.

> Although Malaysia is not on the path of tornadoes, we do experience mini tornadoes known as waterspouts and landspouts.

> Waterspouts form over warm water surfaces with cold and moist air, and are quite common in tropical areas close to the equator.

> Waterspouts can occur anywhere near waters off Malaysia but are prevalent during the monsoon transition phase, between April and May and October and November.

> Waterspouts usually last for a few seconds or minutes at the most. When they touch land, they lose energy derived from the sea.

> A waterspout struck three villages in Tanjung Tokong, Penang, damaging 50 houses, on April 1, 2019.

> Landspouts resemble a waterspout, except that they form on land or on a surface where winds are converging.

> A landspout which occurred in Jitra, Kedah, on Oct 20, 2019, struck three villages in Mukim Jeram, Tunjang, and damaged scores of homes and uprooted trees.

> Falling and flying debris cause most deaths and injuries during a tornado. The safest place to be is indoors, preferably in a room without windows.

> If no shelter is available, lie face down flat on the ground and put your arms over the back of your head. Cover your body with a blanket or mattress.