Yes (at least it is used in Britain)... but I think most of the time that people use this idiom they are aware that it's a bit of a cliche (an overused and not very original expression). So they say it with the expectation that people might laugh in response. There are lots and lots of alternatives to describe very intense rainfall (we get a lot of rain in the UK!). For example here are two that are quite natural in the UK (but perhaps not internationally?): It's chucking it down. It's bucketing down. The most standard, globalised version is probably "It's pouring down."

I agree with the other English teachers - this idiom is a bit of a cliche and rarely used in everyday conversations. There are regional variations but generally you might say ‘It’s tipping down’ or ‘it’s chucking it down’ or ‘it’s teeming’ and in Scotland they say ‘it’s stotting’ to describe how the rain hits the ground. Hope that is helpful?

It’s raining heavily.

In the UK it's not used very commonly... perhaps the older generation.

Teacher Fiona Seward and teacher Thaly, thank you for your helpful comments. Teacher Fiona, I loved the regional variations that you shared!