Red rain in Kerala due to dust cloud from Arabia

The mystery of the red-colured rain in Kerala two years ago that startled both scientists and the layman has now been resolved.

The mystery of the red-colured rain in Kerala two years ago that startled both scientists and the layman has now been resolved.

HT Image

Analysing the data from satellites and a laser radar, space scientists at the Vikram Sarabai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvanandapuram have found that the culprit was a dust cloud that originated in the gulf countries and came all the way over Kerala.

On July 25, 2001, many places in coastal Kerala had received recieved coloured rain overnight and in the morning.

The rainwater contained suspended particles and many elements including carbon, silicon, calcium and magnesium. It was then believed that the water was coloured due to the presence of red spores of some species of fungus.