Have you ever seen red rain? No, we are not talking about the song by Peter Gabriel, but a real phenomenon that occurred in the district of Idukki in Kerala, India. In this article, we will explore what happened, why it happened and what it means for science and society.
What happened?
The red rain of Kerala was a blood rain event that occurred sporadically from July 25 to September 23, 2001, mainly in the districts of Kottayam and Idukki in the southern part of the state. Yellow, green and black rain was also reported.
According to locals, the first coloured rain was preceded by a loud thunderclap and flash of light, and followed by groves of trees shedding shrivelled grey "burnt" leaves. Shriveled leaves and the disappearance and sudden formation of wells were also reported around the same time in the area.
The coloured rain typically fell over small areas, no more than a few square kilometres in size, and was sometimes so localised that normal rain could be falling just a few meters away from the red rain. Red rainfalls typically lasted less than 20 minutes.
Each millilitre of rain water contained about 9 million red particles. Extrapolating these figures to the total amount of red rain estimated to have fallen, it was estimated that 50,000 kilograms (110,000 lb) of red particles had fallen on Kerala.
Why did it happen?
The origin and nature of the red rain has been a matter of debate and controversy among scientists and laypeople alike. Some of the proposed explanations are:
- Meteor burst: It was initially thought that the rains were coloured by fallout from a hypothetical meteor burst that disintegrated in the atmosphere before reaching the ground. However, this theory was dismissed by the lack of evidence of any meteoritic material in the rain water or the atmosphere.
- Algal spores: A study commissioned by the Government of India concluded that the rains had been coloured by airborne spores from a locally prolific terrestrial green algae from the genus Trentepohlia. The algae are known to have a red pigment called haematochrome or beta-carotene that gives them their colour. The study suggested that the algae were growing on tree bark and were dislodged by heavy winds and rains.
- Extraterrestrial life: A controversial hypothesis proposed by two Indian scientists claimed that the red particles were actually biological cells of extraterrestrial origin that were brought to Earth by a comet or an asteroid. They argued that the cells showed signs of life, such as reproduction and metabolism, and had a unique DNA that did not match any known terrestrial organism. They also claimed that the cells could survive extreme temperatures and pressures, and could be a form of panspermia - the transfer of life across space. However, this hypothesis was widely criticized by other scientists for its lack of scientific rigour, evidence and peer review.
What does it mean?
The red rain of Kerala was a rare and fascinating phenomenon that captured the attention and imagination of many people around the world. It also raised some important questions about the nature and origin of life on Earth and beyond.
Some of the implications and impacts of the red rain are:
- Scientific curiosity: The red rain stimulated scientific curiosity and inquiry among researchers and students who wanted to understand its causes and effects. It also inspired some creative works such as novels, films and songs based on the phenomenon.
- Environmental awareness: The red rain highlighted the importance of environmental awareness and conservation among the public who witnessed its impact on their surroundings. It also raised concerns about possible health risks and pollution caused by the coloured particles.
- Cultural significance: The red rain had some cultural significance for some communities who interpreted it as a sign of divine intervention or prophecy. Some people associated it with religious beliefs or legends, such as the biblical plague of blood or the Hindu goddess Kali. Others saw it as a warning or a blessing from nature or fate.
Conclusion
The red rain of Idukki was one of the most mysterious and intriguing phenomena that occurred in Kerala in recent history. It challenged our understanding of nature and life, and sparked curiosity and debate among scientists and laypeople alike. It also had some social and cultural impacts on the people who experienced it first-hand or learned about it later.
Whether you believe it was caused by algae, meteorites or aliens, there is no denying that the red rain was a remarkable event that deserves to be remembered and studied further.
References
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_rain_in_Kerala
[2]: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/08/01/kerala-rain-orange-alert-updates-live.html
[3]: https://mikestillalive.home.blog/2020/06/16/the-mysterious-red-rain-idukki-kerala-india/
[4]: https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/R/red_rain_of_Kerala.html
[5]: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/red-alert-in-idukki-as-heavy-rains-trigger-landslides-in-kerala-transport-affected-1705749-2020-07-29
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: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/idukki-dam-shutters-opened-after-26-years/article24697802.ece
: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6701-mystery-of-indias-red-rain-deepens/
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: https://www.nature.com/news/2006/060109/full/news060109-11.html
: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2006/01/red-rain-cells-reproduce-normal-earth-bacteria
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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOGG_osOoVg
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: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/red-rain-not-dangerous-to-health/article27865294.ece
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: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/the-red-rain-of-kerala/article28650788.ece
Source:
(1) Red rain in Kerala - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_rain_in_Kerala.
(2) Kerala Rain | Red Alert in 7 districts; flooding, landslips reported in .... https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/08/01/kerala-rain-orange-alert-updates-live.html.
(3) The Mysterious Red Rain – Idukki, Kerala, India. https://mikestillalive.home.blog/2020/06/16/the-mysterious-red-rain-idukki-kerala-india/.
(4) Red alert in Idukki as heavy rains trigger landslides in Kerala .... https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/red-alert-in-idukki-as-heavy-rains-trigger-landslides-in-kerala-transport-affected-1705749-2020-07-29.
(5) red rain of Kerala - David Darling. https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/R/red_rain_of_Kerala.html.
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