Residents were terrified after a large waterspout was seen sweeping across the ocean in Singapore.

The funnel-shaped vortex formed off the coast of Sentosa Island on December 8 morning.

Footage shows the waterspout intensifying across the other end of the popular island destination.

Richard And, who lives nearby, said they had been experiencing stormy weather before the deluge was formed in the area.

He said: "I was shocked but it was my birthday and I was thrilled to witness such a natural phenomenon right in front of me.

“I keep seeing strange weather phenomenons on my balcony as I have a great view of the sea.

“Last time, there was a bolt of strong lightning that struck in the ocean. It was horrifying and blinding.”

The resident added that the waterspout dissipated after almost ten minutes since it formed.

Waterspouts are intense columns of swirling tornado clouds that form over a body of water.

They are most commonly found in subtropical areas and disappear shortly after they come into contact with land.

Scientists believe they are formed when pockets of warm air near the water surface rise suddenly.

Cooler air is then sucked into the low-pressure air, which picks up water and rises towards the clouds in a rotating motion.