Dawki, Meghalaya | Updated: November 2025
Meghalaya’s Umngot River, world-famous for its transparent waters that make boats appear to float on air, has recently turned muddy and opaque due to ongoing road construction.
But environmental experts and locals assure travellers that this change is temporary, and that the river’s famous clarity will return by late November through January 2026 — just in time for Meghalaya’s peak tourism season.
📰 What Happened
In October 2025, travellers and residents at Dawki and Shnongpdeng noticed the Umngot River’s emerald clarity giving way to a brown, murky appearance.
An inspection by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) traced the problem to hill-cutting and debris dumping from the Shillong–Dawki highway widening project, managed by NHIDCL.
Loose soil and excavated material slid into nearby streams, causing sediment runoff into the Umngot River. The pollution board has since fined NHIDCL ₹15 lakh and ordered an immediate cleanup with slope-stabilisation and silt-trapping measures.
For travellers planning to explore the hill towns, caves, waterfalls, and living root bridges that surround Dawki, the SetMyTrip Meghalaya Tour Packages page offers a curated look at routes that balance comfort and local experience. Each itinerary is designed to help visitors travel responsibly — connecting Shillong, Cherrapunji, and Dawki in a way that supports community tourism and protects Meghalaya’s fragile natural beauty.
🌿 Why This Matters
The Umngot River is not just a postcard image — it’s the heart of Dawki’s eco-tourism economy.
For years, its glass-like transparency has supported sustainable livelihoods: boating, camping, and cross-border trade with Bangladesh.
Even a few weeks of turbidity affects hundreds of families who depend on visitors for their daily income.
But hydrologists clarify that this sediment-based discoloration is reversible, not chemical pollution. Once the debris settles and rainfall decreases, the water clears rapidly — as it has done in past years.
📅 When Will the Water Turn Clear Again?
According to local authorities, weather models, and field reports:
- Rainfall has nearly stopped in the Jaintia Hills by early November.
- Sediment load drops sharply with two weeks of dry weather.
- Water transparency is expected to return gradually between 20 November and 15 December 2025, peaking from late November through January 2026.
Early morning boat rides (before 10 AM) and bright sunny days during this window usually offer the most stunning views — the famous “floating boat illusion”.
✅ Best Time This Year:
20 November 2025 – 25 January 2026
(Highest chance of crystal-clear water and minimal crowd)
💬 Local Voices
“This happens whenever heavy roadwork or rain disturbs the soil,”
says a Dawki boatman from Shnongpdeng.
“The river always heals itself once the flow calms. Visitors should come — not cancel — because our tourism helps keep Umngot alive.”
Locals have already begun volunteer cleanup drives, and eco-tourism groups are coordinating with the MSPCB to monitor sediment flow.
🧭 Why You Should Still Visit
Even while clarity is restoring, Dawki and Shnongpdeng remain breathtaking:
- The Dawki Suspension Bridge (1932) — an engineering heritage marvel.
- Camping by the river, with mist-wrapped hills and bonfire evenings.
- Village stays in Shnongpdeng offering kayaking, fishing, and local Khasi–Jaintia cuisine.
- Nearby attractions: Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia, and Riwai’s Living Root Bridge.
Visiting responsibly during this time not only supports local livelihoods but also keeps tourism pressure balanced — vital for Dawki’s recovery.
🌍 SetMyTrip’s Advisory for Travellers
- ✅ Plan your Dawki stay between 20 Nov 2025 – 25 Jan 2026.
- 🚤 Prefer morning boat rides for best visibility.
- 💧 Avoid littering or disturbing riverbanks — sediment is still settling.
- 🏕️ Support local eco-stays and community guides instead of large operators.
- 📸 Share awareness using #SaveUmngot instead of negative posts — help spread responsible tourism.
🌤️ The Spirit of Dawki
The Umngot’s clarity has always symbolised the purity of Meghalaya’s landscapes — and its people’s bond with nature.
This brief episode is a reminder that even natural wonders need protection, not pity.
By travelling mindfully and supporting local initiatives, visitors in December and January can witness not just the return of the “floating boats,” but the resilience of an entire community determined to keep Meghalaya’s rivers shining.
🗓️ Updated: November 6, 2025
✍️ By: SetMyTrip Environmental Desk
📍 Feature Location: Dawki – Shnongpdeng, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
📸 Cover Photo: Dawki Suspension Bridge over the Umngot River
