Fish rain: what is the reason behind this phenomenon?

Fish do not fall from the sky during rain. The idea that fish fall from the sky is actually a phenomenon known as “animal rain” or “fish rain,” and it has been a subject of folklore and occasional reported events throughout history.

Viral video from Andhra Pradesh

However, it is essential to understand that fish do not actually fall from the clouds. The explanation behind these occurrences lies in meteorology and natural phenomena. When animal rain is reported, it is typically the result of a waterspout or tornado passing over a body of water such as a lake or sea. Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, and they can pick up small aquatic creatures like fish, frogs, or even small turtles from the water’s surface.

As the waterspout moves over land, it weakens and dissipates, causing the captured animals to fall from the sky along with the rain. This gives the appearance that the fish are falling with the raindrops, leading to the mistaken belief that fish are raining from the sky.

It’s worth noting that these events are relatively rare and more likely to occur in areas with a lot of water bodies and frequent waterspouts or tornadoes. While animal rain is an interesting and intriguing natural phenomenon, it is not something that happens on a regular basis, and fish do not typically fall from the sky during rain showers.