A dust column resembling a tornado was observed in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, June 21, 2026, caused by a strong updraft from a cumulonimbus cloud. The claim that the event was a tornado contradicts the India Meteorological Department’s assertion that it was not a tornado but a dust column from a cumulonimbus updraft. Experts from the viral video verification community, according to republicworld.com, confirmed the event was a genuine tornado. Videos showing a narrow, twisting column of storm descending from a dark cloud were shared by local weather spotters, including the account Tamil Nadu Weatherman, according to republicworld.com. Meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya, according to indianexpress.com, verified the videos and estimated wind speeds of 170–220 km/h, suggesting an EF2 rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Strong winds caused damage to homes, infrastructure, and a theme park in Thoothukudi district. The worst-hit areas were Vagaikulam and Mudivaithanendal villages along the Thoothukudi-Tirunelveli highway, around 20 kilometres from Thoothukudi city, according to timesnownews.com. Strong winds uprooted trees, snapped electricity poles, and tore away roof sheets in a residential cluster of nearly 200 homes, according to timesnownews.com. No major damage or casualties were reported, according to republicworld.com. Residents described the event as a tornado.