Regime of подобно

I see in the dictionary as well as in the net that подобно, sometimes adverb, and sometimes preposition, when acting as prep. must be followed by a dativ.: подобно тому. However I find: "эти потоки, подобно фантастической губки..." where губкe should be waited. I think it must be a lapsus, but... The article goes on moving of air streams.
Thank you.

You are quite right, it is a lapsus.

подобно губкЕ (dative)

Although губке and губки sound the same and that is the reason why they are mixed up by poorly literate people.

Thank you for your help.