Many fish-loving families in southwest India are waking up to their favourite dinner visiting them at home.

A family in Kottayam, in the state of Kerala, was pleasantly surprised when a school of catfish swam directly into their living quarters, did a neat U-turn on the veranda and left the same way it entered.

Due to heavy monsoon rain this year, a local river, Moovattupuzha, has entered towns and villages, flooding homes and sweeping in the surprises.

A few enterprising individuals are fishing directly from their windows or doorsteps to find the catch of the day.

Those who venture to the river are rewarded with bigger fish, which can be plucked from the stream with their bare hands.

A few men went to the banks of Kuttyadi river in Kozhikode district and returned carrying several huge fish – many still gasping for breath - on their shoulders.

A resident of Kottaya, 43-year-old Manoj Nair, 43, said, "this happens whenever rivers swell due to rains. Last year, I saw many casting nets from their doorsteps to catch fish."

Many fish-loving families in Kerala, India, are waking up to their favourite dinner visiting them at home.

A family in Kottayam was pleasantly surprised when a school of catfish swam into their home, did a neat U-turn in the veranda and went out the same way as it entered.

Due to heavy monsoons this year, a local river, Moovattupuzha, is in spate. It has entered towns and villages, flooding homes and sweeping in fishy surprises.

A few enterprising individuals are fishing right from their windows or doorsteps to find the catch of the day.

Those who venture to the river are rewarded with bigger fish, which can be plucked out of water with bare hands.

A few men went to the banks of Kuttyadi river in Kozhikode district and returned carrying several huge fish – many still gasping for breath - on their shoulders.

Manoj Nair, 43, a resident of Kottayam said: “This happens whenever rivers swell due to rains. Last year, I saw many casting nets from their doorsteps to catch fish.”