Oymyakonye - the territory known to the whole world as a cold pole (the lowest temperature –71.2 degrees). In addition, the largest temperature fluctuation on earth has been recorded here - from an average of 61 with a minus sign to 39 with a plus sign. This territory is located between two ranges - Cherskiy and Suntar-Khayat. In the hollow between them in 1931, the Oymyakon ulus (district) was created. The reason for its occurrence is the richest reserves of gold, tungsten, tin, arsenic, antimony, mercury and other rare minerals.
The location of the village
Closer to the north, where the Nera River flows into Indigirka, is Ust-Nera,
an urban-type settlement, which since 1954 became the district center of the ulus and the largest settlement of Oymyakonya. The founder of the village, as well as several other settlements in northeastern Yakutia and on Kalym, was the Soviet geologist Valentin Aleksandrovich Tsaregradsky (July 24, 1902-1990). Shortly before the war, a seaplane arrived at the mouth of the Nera with geologists on board. August 6, 1937 is considered the foundation day of the village of Ust-Nera.
Founder of Ust-Nera
Valentin Aleksandrovich, who first stepped on this earth, is very revered in these places - the street was named after him. The expedition worked fruitfully until 1941 - many gold deposits were explored, and in 1942 the first mines were discovered. In addition, intelligence work was carried out this year at the future Alaskitovoye tungsten mining enterprise, during which during the war the “Vlasov” prisoners attempted to assassinate V. Tsaregradsky when he inspected underground workings. The famous geologist miraculously survived.
The builders of the mines and villages
Of course, prison camps were everywhere in Yakutia. Roads were laid with their hands, including the Magadan tract, mines were created (they also mined gold) and housing facilities were erected. The village of Ust-Nera is obliged by its first school (1945-1946) to construction prisoners. In those days, the whole village was surrounded by barbed wire, because it was they who worked at many facilities. According to the documents of the Memorial society, from 1949 to 1957, Indigirlag was in this village.
Years of Successful Development
In 1938, Dalstroy was established - a trust for the management of road and industrial construction in Kalym. In the village of Ust-Nera in 1944, the Indigirsky GPU belonging to Dalstroy was located (liquidated in 1957). The village itself was surrounded by impassable swamps. In 1945, an energy plant goes into operation here, and in 1946 Ust-Nera receives its industrial current, and immediately the telephone system of the village begins.
In 1950, this settlement, located in the north-east of Yakutia, receives the title of urban-type settlement. But not only the harsh climate makes this place difficult to live in. Indigirka, which is the coldest river of the planet, during floods carries many dangers. The floods of 1951, 1959 and 1967 were terrible - the water rose to the second floor of the old school (the new one was built in 1974), flooded food warehouses. After the flood of 1959, the banks of the wayward river began to strengthen. The population of the village of Ust-Nera was growing steadily and in 1989 reached 12.5 thousand people. Local residents and began to watch television first (1971) in Yakutia. In 1978, a concrete bridge was built across Indigirka.
Hard times for the industry
Severe perestroika years affected this promising area. The mines began to close, the population began to fall steadily, and already in 2010, 8.4 thousand people lived here. Now the social policy of the federal authorities, including in relation to Yakutia, represents the most important direction of the state. Special programs are being developed to stop the outflow of the population. Much is being done to make promising industrial areas attractive to new settlers.
Realities of our day
The Ust-Nera village is not ignored. Yakutia (Republic of Sakha) pays great attention to youth policy. Now a mining and processing gold mining complex is working in the village. This is a
city-forming enterprise. In addition, there is an airport, a modern clinic and hospital, a sports complex with a pool and a stadium. Actually, everything that characterizes the modern regional center is in the village of Ust-Nera. Reviews about him, of course, are very different. Pessimists say the village is dying. Optimists list the beautiful buildings of the Sakhatelekom and Metallurg recreation centers, the new buildings of the Pegasus entertainment center and the Sever movie theater. There are banks, hotels, a city museum, modern shops, markets and kindergartens.