SHILLONG: Cavers of Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association have discovered Krem Um Ladaw that has the deepest shaft in the country.
Though located on the valley floor, Krem Um Ladaw yielded an “astonishing 105m deep shaft entrance passage”, said Brian D Kharpran Daly, general secretary of the association.
The discovery was made during the ‘Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Expedition’ that took place between February 3 and 28. It started with pre-expedition of a five-member group at Laitsohum village, which concentrated on the completion of Krem Puri.
Krem Puri, which at 24,583 metres, was declared to be the longest sandstone cave in the world, has now been further extended by another 459 m to top the cave at 25,042 metres.
The landmark of this year’s expedition was the achievement of 503 kilometers of cave passage explored and mapped in the state of Meghalaya, with much more still waiting to be discovered. This solidifies Meghalaya as a top caving region in the world.
The 28th edition of the now traditionally international caving in Meghalaya comprised 30 cavers drawn from the UK, Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia and members of the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association, including a biospeleologist.
