Current Date: 01 Nov, 2025
{{entry.title}}

Mystery SOLVED: blood Rain in India

The dissemination of spores of microalgae has been identified as the origin of the 'Blood Rain' phenomena, according to a new study by Indian and Austrian experts. Since 1896, reports of intermittent red-colored rain in portions of Kerala and Sri Lanka have been coming in. The most recent one occurred in 2013 over Kerala.

The dissemination of spores of micro algae has been identified as the origin of the ‘Blood Rain’ phenomena, according to a new study by Indian and Austrian experts. Since 1896, reports of intermittent red-colored rain in portions of Kerala and Sri Lanka have been coming in. The most recent one occurred in 2013 over Kerala.

You may also read: 8 Most Amazing Natural Phenomena On Earth

Even laundry left out to dry in the rain becomes red, reminding one of human blood. Many theories have been proposed to explain this strange occurrence, some of which are unreasonable, such as a divine spell or alien involvement. According to the Huffington Post in 2012, this was caused by extraterrestrial life (aliens).

The presence of spores of a European species of green microalgae, Trentepohlia annulata, caused the red color in the rain, according to a recent study published in the journal Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Biology. Trentepohlia annulata was previously only reported from Austria, a Central European country.

Mystery SOLVED blood Rain in India 1
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The study proved that blood rain is just a method used by this alga to disseminate its spores (similar to plant seeds) over a vast region at once, allowing algae to colonize a large area quickly. The study found that the DNA sequences of this species from Kerala and those from Austria were quite similar — and that they evolve slowly, implying that the alga arrived from Europe not long ago. “The investigation confirmed the possibility that the introduction occurred by clouds over the ocean — a mechanism of intercontinental species dispersal previously recorded for bacteria and fungi, but first time for algae,” stated Dr. Felix Bast of the Central University of Punjab.

Clouds dispersing over oceans are similar to intercontinental flights; spores of this alga from Europe are delivered to India via clouds that drift across the Arabian Sea.

But, if the spores made it all the way over the Arabian Sea to Kerala and Sri Lanka, why didn’t the event happen in places like Gujarat and MP?

“We don’t have any proof for this “clouds over ocean” concept, but probability is high because this is how Trentepohlia spores get transported,” Dr. Bast responded in an email to this Correspondent. Although it is unclear how these lower stratospheric clouds arrived in Kerala, the aerial route from Austria to Kerala will not travel through other states such as Gujarat or MP. It could also be related to the monsoon, as Kerala is the first state where the SW monsoon meets Sri Lanka.”

“I would imagine these spores were delivered to the clouds by wind,” Dr. Bast says of how the spores get into the clouds. We intend to collaborate with atmospheric experts to collect samples of transcontinental clouds in order to determine what types of creatures they transport. The ultimate proof will be a meta genetic analysis of cloud air using High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters, for which I’ll soon be applying for a research grant from the Ministry of Earth Sciences.” He went on to say that the microalga is completely harmless and that the “blood” rainwater is perfectly potable, even for vegetarians. The current study was the product of an international collaboration comprising academics from India and Austria, which was funded in part by an INSPIRE Faculty Award.

Similar Stories
What Was the Beast of Gévaudan?

What Was the Beast of Gévaudan?

Between 1764 and 1767, a mysterious animal called the Beast of Gévaudan terrorized the French village called Gévaudan. It attacked and killed about 100 adults and children. While most believe it was a wolf, some say it may have been a wolf-dog hybrid, hyena or even a lion, but without any genetic evidence, the beast will remain a mystery forever.

Jim Sullivan's Mysterious Masterpiece: 'U.F.O.'

Jim Sullivan's Mysterious Masterpiece: 'U.F.O.'

In 1969, a musician named Jim Sullivan recorded an album titled "UFO" which featured a song about him being abducted by aliens in the desert. Years later, Jim disappeared and his car was found abandoned in middle of New Mexico desert. His body has never been found.

El Ojo, The Mysterious Rotating Island

El Ojo, The Mysterious Rotating Island

In the middle of South America, a strange and nearly perfectly circle island moves on its own. The central landmass, known as 'El Ojo' or 'The Eye,' floats on a pond of clear and chilly water, looking strange and out of place in comparing to its surroundings. The bottom appears to be solid in compared to the marsh around it.

The Remarkable story of jazz bassists Henry Grimes, lost but found as janitor and reclaimed the spotlight

The Remarkable story of jazz bassists Henry Grimes, lost but found as janitor and reclaimed the spotlight

Henry Grimes, one of the most versatile jazz bassists, disappeared in the 1960s and was later presumed dead. However, a jazz-loving social worker found him in 2002 working as a janitor in a hotel. Grimes found his way back into the limelight when a fellow musician sent him a bass as a gift. In 2016, he received a lifetime achievement award.

Jimmy Carter Once Promised to Release UFO Files—Here’s Why He Didn’t

Jimmy Carter Once Promised to Release UFO Files—Here’s Why He Didn’t

During his 1976 presidential campaign, Jimmy Carter declared a bold intention: if elected, he would make all government UFO information available to the public. A man who openly admitted to having seen a UFO himself, Carter embodied a promise of transparency on one of the most controversial subjects of the Cold War era. However, once in office, Carter found powerful obstacles and, citing "national security concerns," chose not to release the files. This article unpacks Carter’s famous guarantee, the political realities he faced, and the enduring mystery surrounding government UFO secrecy.

10 Rarest and Albino animals you haven’t seen

10 Rarest and Albino animals you haven’t seen

For centuries, people have been fascinated and enchanted by the ghostly appearances of abnormally white animals. People have loved albinos and other unusually white animals so much that they may be helping to increase their numbers, despite the difficulties these animals face in the wild. While these unusual animals did not win the genetic lottery, they have persevered in the face of adversity.

The Unsolved mystery of Bobby Dunbar's Disappearance

The Unsolved mystery of Bobby Dunbar's Disappearance

In 1912, a four-year-old boy named Bobby Dunbar went missing on a family trip, 8 months later he was found and reunited with his family. Nearly a century later, DNA testing of his descendants revealed that the child reunited with the Dunbar family was not Bobby, but rather a boy named Charles (Bruce) Anderson who resembled Bobby.

The Mystery of Puma Punku’s Precise Stonework

The Mystery of Puma Punku’s Precise Stonework

Pumapunku's stone blocks were meticulously carved and polished to interlock with neighboring stones, forming a puzzle-like structure. The joints between them are incredibly precise. These characteristics show an intricate knowledge of descriptive geometry and stone cutting, indicating the use of highly advanced technology that would have seemed impossible at the time.

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

Before women were allowed to enroll in medical school, Margaret Ann Bulkley studied medicine and assumed the identity of Dr. James Barry for 56 years while dressing as a man. After 46 years of service as an army doctor officer, her secret was not made public until after her death in 1865.