Agra, July 20 (IANS) A freak tornado sucked up a pond’s water into atmosphere, uprooted trees and razed crops in Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri district Saturday afternoon, according to officials here. The incident took place Saturday afternoon in Bhojpura village of Mainpuri district, the officials at the divisional headquarters here said.

An intense dark cloud built up suddenly, the air flow turned violent and within about 25 minutes uprooted trees, emptied the community pond, destroyed everything within the limits of Bhojpura village, 75 km from here.

Dozens of mango, neem and peepal trees were seen flying in the air, while the standing crop of corn was razed to the ground. A number of houses developed cracks and villagers ran for safety towards open spaces.

Water from a pond flowing to the brim was seen being sucked up into the atmosphere, officials returning after an inspection of the village told media persons in Mainpuri.

Divisional headquarters at Agra has asked for complete details of the phenomenon that was confined to just one village.

Environmental scientist K.S. Rana in Agra said that such a localised cyclonic movement had never been heard of before.

“In the wake of global warming, we should remain prepared for newer shocks,” said Ravi Singh, an engineer turned organic farmer of Barauli Ahir block of Agra district.