Residents of Mangystau region filmed a tall rotating column of dust crossing a highway at the 63rd kilometer. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Lada.kz.
The footage shows a natural phenomenon resembling a tornado, but experts classify it as a dust devil.
According to meteorologists, such vortices occur in hot, partly cloudy weather when the ground surface is strongly heated. Due to sharp temperature differences, air vortices form, lifting dust and sand into the air.
A dust devil is a small atmospheric vortex over a strongly heated surface. Unlike a tornado, it is not associated with thunderstorm clouds and is usually weaker.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that a strong hurricane damaged houses and power lines in Pavlodar region. Four villages were left without electricity, and in Konyrozek, Uspen district, the wind tore roofs off 12 houses and damaged fences and gates. Videos and photos of the vortex, which resembled a tornado, were widely shared on social media.