A tornado-like phenomenon was recently spotted and videotaped in the central Taiwan county of Nantou, lasting a total of 17 seconds. Experts later identified it as a dust devil, which is similar to tornadoes in shape but much less intense.

On the sports field of the Chunghsin New Village, a strange tornado, that was seen 300 meters away, continued to move toward the left side, rolling up dust and sand on the ground.

But there was no wind or rain.

The tornado lasted 17 seconds.

Nantou councilor Lai Yen-xue, who was walking toward the building past the sports field for a meeting.

She was shocked to see the natural phenomenon and dared not to move.

However, she managed to videotake the rare moment.

According to her, she took the footage on Monday morning and the weather was pretty hot.

Weather experts explain that the phenomenon is not a tornado but a dust devil, which usually takes place near a river or sandbeach when the weather is too dried.

For its low intensity, dust devils have little threats.

But for those who witness the whole thing, it's an eye-opening experience.