Rain of Worms Falls in Beijing, China

A video showing cars covered in worm-like creatures has caused a stir online, with many speculating that the worms may have fallen from the sky. The footage, reportedly captured in Beijing, China, displays several parked cars that appear to be covered in the slimy worms.

The video has been shared extensively on social media platforms, with the accompanying caption “rain of worms,” leading many to believe that the creatures were a product of an unusual atmospheric phenomenon.

However, some people gave alternative theories. The Scientific Journal of the Mother Nature Network suggested that the worms may have been swept up by a minor tornado or emerged from the thawing ground as spring approaches.

While some have interpreted the occurrence as a sign of impending doom, others are convinced that a scientific explanation exists for the bizarre phenomenon.

“The end of the world is getting closer,” one Twitter user commented on one of the clips.

Raining cats and dogs…
and worms?!

Bejing 🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/g32GbQRYko

— Peter James (@infowakening) March 8, 2023

Residents asked to carry umbrellas

Beijing residents were reportedly advised to carry umbrellas when leaving their homes, as per El Heraldo’s report.

News footage showcases locals navigating through their daily activities with umbrellas positioned to shield themselves from the falling worms.

Although Chinese authorities have yet to unveil the root cause of this strange event, online speculations are starting to emerge.

Why is it raining worms in China pic.twitter.com/esjzPHccYW

— MaryBeth 1BR – 🦅❤️🙏🇺🇲 (@MaryBeth1BR) March 3, 2023

Poplar flowers are a possible explanation

One hypothesis circulating online suggests that the “worms” seen in the viral video are, in fact, poplar flowers.

These flowers are common in China and are often filled with seeds, which may resemble caterpillars when they fall.

Poplar flowers, which grow on trees, are recognizable for their cylindrical and elongated shape and typically bloom between February and March.

The flowers’ hanging branches may feature an array of colors, depending on the season, and their fruits are grouped into elongated capsules that release seeds with white hairs.

Previous reports of worms raining down

Norwegian biologist Karsten Erstad was taken aback when he came across thousands of earthworms while skiing in April 2015. Despite his expertise on the animal kingdom, he was initially surprised by the sight.

With 50cm of snow covering the ground, he doubted that the worms could have been driven up from below, as they would likely have died in the frigid conditions. Instead, it seems the worms had fallen from the sky.

Erstad estimated up to 20 worms per square meter. He described finding them motionless on the snow before realizing they were still alive. News outlets across Norway picked up on the story, with other reports confirming the event.

A similar event was recorded in the Scottish Borders in 2011. Physical education teacher David Crichton was supervising a group of second-year boys when they heard a “soft thudding” noise on the artificial pitch.

Upon looking up, they observed dozens of worms raining down from above. Crichton, then 26, and his colleagues at Galashiels Academy were puzzled by the event.

They later discovered more worms on a tennis court nearly 100 yards from the initial site.

“We started hearing this wee thudding noise. There were about 20 worms on the ground,” David stated at the time.