Time zone MAGT (UTC+11:00) Local time Saturday 2:13 AM | Population (2010 Census) 0 inhabitants Founded 1940s | |
 | ||
Weather -21°C, Wind N at 0 km/h, 38% Humidity | ||
Kadykchan (Russian: Кадыкча́н) is a depopulated urban locality (a work settlement) in Susumansky District of Magadan Oblast, Russia, located in the basin of the Ayan-Yuryakh River, 65 kilometers (40 mi) northwest of Susuman, the administrative center of the district. As of the 2010 Census, it had no recorded population.
Contents
Map of Kadykchan, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 686332
Etymology
The settlement's name comes from the indigenous Even language word meaning "small gorge" or "ravine".
History
Kadykchan was built by gulag prisoners during World War II for the purposes of coal extraction. Later it accommodated miners from a few local coal mines which supplied Arkagalinskaya electric power station. The depth of mines was about 400 meters (1,300 ft).
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, coal mining in the area became increasingly unprofitable. An explosion at the mine in 1996 killed six people, which led to a decision to close the mines altogether and for the government to subsidize residents to move elsewhere. As of 2010, the settlement was officially completely depopulated, although travelers reported one or two hardy residents remaining in 2012.