Colored Rain Falls on India

Scientists in the southern Indian state of Kerala have begun examining an unusual phenomenon: colored rainfall in some parts of the state. Its southern and central districts have witnessed spells of colored rain over the past week, prompting researchers to launch a formal investigation.

It all started with scarlet rain showers last Thursday on some villages in the southern districts of Kottayam and Idukki. Soon, a similar phenomenon was reported from eight other districts of the state. These areas witnessed spells of green, yellow, brown and black rains.

Almost the entire state, except for two northern districts, have reported these unusual rains over the past week.

Scientists from the Trivandrum-based Centre for Earth Science Studies are now studying the rain waters collected by local people. The institute's Director, M Baba, said scientists believe the colored rain was caused by dust from a burning meteorite that threw over 2,000 pounds of extraterrestrial dust into the atmosphere.