Shillong, March 16: With more caves being found in Meghalaya featuring vast and beautiful river passages as well as large relic formations, cavers believe that much more remains to be discovered.
The 2025 edition of the “Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Expedition” took place from February 2 to February 28, marking yet another milestone in the collaboration between Indian and international cavers. Supported by the Shillong-based Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA), the expedition comprised a week-long pre-expedition in the Byrong Area of Wahlong, followed by a three-week main expedition exploring the limestone regions around Jongria and the Muallian Spur.
The 2025 expedition mapped a total of 22,663m of new cave passage, bringing the total explored cave passage in Meghalaya under the “Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Project” to 573.6 km since systematic exploration began in 1992.
As in previous years, the expedition saw participation from a diverse international team, including cavers from Austria, Germany, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and the UK. A total of 24 cavers, supported by 11 Indian cavers and four camp staff, worked together to explore Meghalaya’s extensive cave systems.
The pre-expedition phase (February 2-8) focused on the Byrong area, East Khasi Hills District, where eight caves were explored. Four were known but only partially explored, while four were newly discovered. Key finds included: Krem Riblai (1,973m), Krem Khla (1,521m), Krem Wallang (1,393m), and Krem Shanguh 1 (1,027m).
Smaller caves such as Krem Sohrimera (148m), Krem Khlarit (57m), Krem Krien (51m), and Krem Shanguh 2 (40m) were also surveyed. The Byrong caves, consisting of seasonal sinks, active resurgences, and shafts, yielded 6,210m of previously unmapped cave passage.
The main expedition (February 10-27) focused on the caves of the upper Pongkoloi River (Khangban River Valley) and the Litang Basin. A total of 27 caves were explored, including 18 discoveries.
The standout discovery was Lungchung Khur, a stunning river cave measuring 13,618m, making it India’s 10th longest known cave and 9th longest limestone cave. Featuring massive river passages, oxbows, and calcite formations, it occupies a significant portion of the Muallian Spur, where no major cave was previously recorded.
The expedition also assisted the Meghalaya Fisheries Department in collecting four specimens of the blind cavefish (Neolissochilus pnar) from Krem Um Ladaw, the world’s largest known species of its kind. The fish are now under government care for study and conservation. Additionally, uncharted sections of Krem Rebung Kung were explored, extending it from 2,223m to 2,353m.
A smaller team conducted a separate expedition from January 3-14 in Krem Amarsang, South West Khasi Hills. Originally explored in 2012 and 2018, the cave was extended to 1,564m. Five additional caves were also mapped, with significant potential for future exploration.
These discoveries, under the “Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Project” continues to solidify Meghalaya’s status as a global caving hotspot, with much more yet to be uncovered.
