Last weekend, residents of the city of Yasuj in Iran were baffled by a surprising phenomenon: an unusual shower of fish that left everyone speechless. Soon, the roads and streets were filled with curious people looking for an explanation for this strange event.
Although rare, raining fish is not something new in the world. In the city of Yoro, Honduras, it occurs every few years during intense storms in May and June, where hundreds of small, sardine-like fish fall from the sky.
This type of phenomenon has also been recorded in Spain. In 2007, hundreds of small frogs surprised the residents of Rebolledo, a town on the outskirts of Alicante, by falling from the sky. But what is the cause of this strange event known as “Fortean rains”?
What are Fortean rains?
Fortean rains, named following Charles Fort, a researcher of the inexplicable, are documented events around the world, although the most common are those of frogs and fish. Despite how strange it may seem, these rains have a scientific explanation.
Most of these rare rains are caused by a phenomenon known as a waterspout. This phenomenon occurs when a tornado or waterspout sucks water from a lake, river or sea, and with it, any creature that is in the water.
References to these rains date back to ancient times. For example, in the Old Testament there is mention of a plague of frogs that fell from the sky. Although these accounts may seem exaggerated, science has shown that these types of events can occur.
The impact of the Fortean rains
Although science has managed to explain many of these rains, there are still some that escape our understanding. These events remind us that, despite all our progress, there is still much we don’t know regarding our own planet.
These rains are not only a curious phenomenon, but they can also have a significant impact on the areas where they occur. For example, a shower of fish can provide an unexpected source of food for people and animals in the area.
