A cloud with a unique shape, described as resembling a “stairway to heaven”, has caught the attention of residents in the town of Bintulu, Sarawak (Malaysia).
The “stairway to heaven” cloud attracts attention in Malaysia. (Photo: Bintulu News Page/Facebook).
The sight of a dark gray sky with a long horizontal white streak that appeared in the morning sparked curiosity among many. They shared numerous videos and images of this phenomenon on social media, according to Straits Times.
“It’s really beautiful… like a stairway to heaven,” wrote Safiah Ros, a social media user. Meanwhile, Jeya Lee remarked that the scene was “beautiful and extraordinary.”
While some people were excited about the appearance of this unusual cloud, many others wondered if it signaled an impending storm.
“I hope this place won’t be like Sibu, which was affected by strong winds and heavy rain. Many trees were uprooted and roofs were blown away,” shared Este Bah, a Facebook user, referring to a storm that hit nearby areas of a town on April 5.
Many residents were curious about the oddly shaped cloud. (Photo: Bintulu News Page/Facebook).
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) stated that this phenomenon is known as a lenticular cloud formation.
According to the UK Meteorological Office, lenticular clouds are low, wide clouds typically associated with severe thunderstorm clouds.
Borneo Post quoted a spokesperson from MetMalaysia as saying: “In tropical areas, these clouds form if there are cumulonimbus clouds or rain-bearing clouds or storms.”
“Although lenticular clouds or roll clouds are harmless, they can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning,” the spokesperson added.
