Revealing the fish rains that happen once a year

Every year in Yoro, a small town located in the north of Honduras (a country in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea) always experiences a mysterious phenomenon called “Lluvia de Peces” – the literal rain of fish .

In fact, the phenomenon of “fish rain” has appeared in many parts of the world, but in Yoro town, these special rains happen every year, even a couple of times a year. After very strong storms, the “fish rain” occurs again between May and June.

The strangest thing about this unusual phenomenon is that, despite being an annual event, no one has ever actually seen the fish come down from the sky. Instead, after the rain stops, the streets are flooded with fish. They are scattered everywhere. It is a small but very tough freshwater fish, not found anywhere else but in this area.

For devout Hondurans, they believe that the “rain of fish” is the “blessing” of Father Jose Manuel Subirana. He was a Spanish missionary who visited the area between 1850 and 1860.

According to legend, after witnessing the poverty of the local people with his own eyes, Father Jose prayed for 3 days and 3 nights, asking God to provide food for the poor. Not long after that, it turned to heavy rain. And the phenomenon of “fish rain” told by the people as an explanation for tourists also originates from this legend.

“It’s a miracle. We consider it a blessing from God,” a resident shared.

Indeed, for the poor people, this is the lucky time of the year when they have fresh fish food on the street without needing to buy it.

In 1970, a group of researchers from National Geographic happened to be in Yoro to coincide with the “rain of fish” occurred. Although the team of experts did not see “fish from the sky” with their own eyes, they confirmed that the ground was covered with fish. According to initial assessment, this is a species that lives in underground rivers and caves. After the great storm, they rose from the ground. This is the theory that is explained, although so far no one has confirmed.

It is even theorized that funnel-shaped clouds form over water bodies like tornadoes. They “suck” both the water and the fish “transport” to land. But this is unlikely, since Yoro is located 72km from the Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, the fish that flood the streets of Yoro are not native here.

The “rain of fish” or “rain of animals” has appeared in many parts of the world, including Mexico, China, Thailand and Australia. But among them, “rain of fish” and “rain of frogs” are the most popular.

As for the people of Yoro, they don’t care where the fish come from after every big storm. They love mysteries and wonders to attract more tourists every year. It is a win-win outcome and good for all.