SINGAPORE: A waterspout has been spotted from the eastern parts of Singapore.

Most callers to the MediaCorp News Hotline reported seeing what looked like a tornado or a twister over the sea.

Most said they saw the phenomenon at about 2.30pm and that the phenomenon lasted about 15 minutes.

Witnesses said it was moving in a circular motion.

The waterspout could be seen in several areas including Chai Chee, East Coast Park, Suntec City and Potong Pasir.

Last August, a waterspout was also spotted off the coast of Sentosa Island.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said intense thunderstorms were the cause of the phenomenon.

The waterspout is a narrow column of water that is sucked to the base of a cloud, making it look like a funnel.

An average diameter of a waterspout is 50 metres and it has average wind speeds of up to 150 kilometres per hour.

The NEA added that waterspouts will dissipate rapidly near the coast.

It also clarified that waterspouts are not rare as there are actually several sightings each year.

- CNA/yy