Lluvia de peces facts for kids

Location of the Yoro department

Imagine fish falling from the sky! This amazing event, called the rain of fish (or lluvia de peces in Spanish), has been happening for over 100 years in Yoro, Honduras. Sometimes, it even happens up to four times a year! This strange phenomenon has caught the eye of scientists and has even been featured on the History Channel.

Celebrating the Fish Rain

Since 1998, the people of Yoro, Honduras, have held a special yearly party called the Festival de Lluvia de Peces. This festival celebrates the mysterious fish rain. The date changes each year, but it usually happens with the first big rain in May or June. The festival is a lot of fun, with a parade and a carnival!

What Causes the Fish Rain?

Scientists and local legends offer different ideas about why fish fall from the sky in Yoro.

Natural Explanations

One common idea is that strong winds or even waterspouts (like a tornado over water) pick up fish from the ocean and drop them over Yoro. The Atlantic Ocean is about 72 kilometers (45 miles) away. However, it seems unlikely that waterspouts would collect fish from the open sea and drop them in the exact same spot every year.

Another idea is that the fish come from fresh water, not the ocean. They might live in a nearby river or in underground caves. When the seasons change, they might move into these hidden water systems. Then, when heavy rains come, the fish are washed out of their underground homes. As the floodwaters go away, the fish are left stranded on the ground.

The Miracle of Father Subirana

There is also a famous local legend about the fish rain. It involves a Spanish priest named Father José Manuel de Jesús Subirana. He came to Honduras in 1855 and helped many people until he passed away in 1864.

The legend says that Father Subirana saw how poor the people of Honduras were. He prayed for three days and three nights, asking God for a miracle to help them find food. After his long prayers, a dark cloud appeared in the sky. Many tasty fish then fell from the sky, giving food to everyone. The legend says that this wonderful event has happened every year since then.

See also

In Spanish: Lluvia de peces en Yoro para niños

• Raining animals