Nohkalikai Falls is one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged waterfalls in India. Its name originates from the Khasi language: “Noh” means “to jump”, “Ka” is a female prefix, and “Likai” is the name of a woman from local folklore.
According to the tragic Khasi legend, Likai jumped to her death from this cliff after discovering that her husband had murdered her daughter and served the child’s flesh to her as food. The waterfall is thus named in her memory and carries a haunting, melancholic beauty.
📌 Exam Pointer
The Khasi legend of Likai + highest plunge waterfall + Cherrapunji rainfall = frequently asked combination in UPSC/State PSC papers on Northeast India geography and culture.
Geographical Specifications & Location
Feature
Data / Fact
Status
Highest Plunge-type Waterfall in India
National Rank
3rd Highest Waterfall in India
Total Height
340 metres (1,115 feet)
Structural Type
Plunge (Single uninterrupted vertical drop)
State & District
Meghalaya, East Khasi Hills
Location
Near Cherrapunji (Sohra), Shillong Plateau
Water Source
Purely rain-fed
The waterfall is situated on the southern edge of the Shillong Plateau. The Khasi Hills act as a barrier that forces moisture-laden Southwest Monsoon winds to rise, resulting in extremely heavy orographic rainfall that feeds the falls.
Plunge vs Tiered: Why Nohkalikai is Unique
The most important distinction for exams is the difference between plunge and tiered waterfalls:
⚠️ Common ConfusionKunchikal Falls (Karnataka) is taller overall (455 m) but is a tiered waterfall — water strikes multiple rock shelves on the way down.
Nohkalikai is the highest plunge waterfall because its water drops in a single, uninterrupted vertical fall straight from the cliff edge to the base without hitting any rock ledges in between.
Plunge vs Tiered Waterfall Comparison
Hyper Rainfall of Cherrapunji & Seasonality
Nohkalikai Falls is located in one of the wettest places on Earth. The Khasi Hills force moisture-laden monsoon winds upward, causing extremely heavy orographic rainfall. Cherrapunji has recorded some of the highest annual and monthly rainfall figures in the world.
Because it is purely rain-fed, the waterfall shows extreme seasonality: it roars with massive volume during the Southwest Monsoon (June–September) and shrinks significantly during the dry winter months (December–February).
📌 Exam Pointer
Cherrapunji (Sohra) + highest rainfall in the world + orographic rainfall + purely rain-fed waterfalls = very high-value topic for Geography and Environment sections.
The Color-Changing Plunge Pool
At the base of Nohkalikai Falls lies a deep, serene plunge pool whose color changes dramatically — often appearing emerald green or turquoise blue — depending on the angle of sunlight, water depth, and mineral content in the water. This optical phenomenon adds to the waterfall’s haunting and ethereal beauty.
Nohkalikai vs Other Major Indian Waterfalls
Waterfall
Height
Type
State
Key Feature
Kunchikal
455 m
Tiered
Karnataka
Highest in India
Barehipani
399 m
Tiered
Odisha
High tiered cascade
Nohkalikai
340 m
Plunge (Single Drop)
Meghalaya
Highest plunge waterfall
Kynrem
305 m
Three-tiered
Meghalaya
Highway bridge on 3rd tier
Meenmutty
300 m
Three-tiered
Kerala
Guided trekking only
Exam Quick-Revision One-Liners
→ Nohkalikai = Highest plunge (single-drop) waterfall in India (340 m)
→ National Rank: 3rd highest overall in India
→ Location: Near Cherrapunji (Sohra), East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
→ Type: Plunge (water drops straight without hitting rocks)
→ Legend: Named after Likai who jumped from the cliff (Khasi folktale)
→ Plunge pool changes color (green/blue) due to minerals & light
It comes from the Khasi language: “Noh” = to jump, “Ka” = female prefix, and “Likai” = name of a woman from local folklore who jumped from the cliff.
How tall is Nohkalikai Falls and what is its rank?
It is approximately 340 metres (1,115 feet) tall and is the highest plunge-type waterfall in India (overall 3rd highest waterfall in the country).
What makes Nohkalikai different from Kunchikal Falls?
Nohkalikai is a plunge waterfall — water drops in a single uninterrupted vertical fall. Kunchikal is taller but tiered (water strikes multiple rock shelves).
Why does the plunge pool change color?
The deep pool at the base changes from green to turquoise blue due to mineral composition in the water and the scattering of light at different depths and angles.
When is the best time to see Nohkalikai in full flow?
During the Southwest Monsoon (June–September) when Cherrapunji receives extremely heavy rainfall. The waterfall shrinks significantly in the dry winter months.
Could You Place This on a Map?
If a map question on this topic appeared tomorrow, could you place it? Check with previous-year papers and the geography study modules.