This is the moment twin waterspouts formed near a coastal town in the Philippines.

Footage shows the giant columns of swirling vortex extending from the dark clouds to the sea next to an island in Almagro, Samar province on August 20.

A second waterspout formed in another area within the village coinciding with the first one but both dissipated within 15 minutes.

No damage was reported nor hurt in the incident but the residents panicked as it was the first time they have seen such a weather phenomenon in the area.

Resident Venz Ely Orbeso Ferrer said: ‘We were scared and shocked because it was so close to us and seemed to be heading towards our households. Fortunately, it disappeared after a few minutes.’

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.

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.