Visakhapatnam: A dust devil, a short-lived whirlwind of dust and debris, caused alarm among locals in Araku Valley, Alluri Sitharama Raju district, on Monday.

The sudden gust of wind damaged crops and displaced water onto nearby farms, but no casualties were reported.

The dust devil struck fields in the Demuduvalasa-Koronjguda area of Dumbriguda mandal, where residents initially mistook it for a tornado. However, experts clarified the distinction between the two phenomena.

Appala Naidu, Associate Director of the Regional Agricultural Research Station in Chintapalli, explained that tornadoes are rare in tropical regions due to the high moisture content in the air, which prevents their formation. He pointed out that dust devils, on the other hand, can occur in dry, mountainous areas where warm air can become trapped and swirl, creating a vortex.

Local officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage to farmland, but early reports indicate that several areas were significantly affected. Dust devils, while less destructive than tornadoes, can still cause localized damage, particularly to crops and lightweight structures.

Farmers in the region are being advised to monitor weather conditions closely as assessments of the damage continue.

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