Chamoli Flash Flood - The Story Of Nanda Devi Nuclear Device Installed By CIA And India

While the cause of the Chamoli flash floods has yet to be identified by scientists--although some are blaming climate change--the floods brought back fears of old tales linked to missing radioactive material in the Nanda Devi glaciers.

As per locals in and around Raini village, in 1965, a 'machine' was built on the mountains of Nanda Devi that had a nuclear device inside.

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92-year-old Kartik Singh, a resident of Raini village who claims to have been a part of the 1965 expedition to install the 'machine', was quoted as saying by TNIE, "I used to work as a porter then. Some people asked me to carry a packed, concealed load. I agreed. We went to a place called 'Camp IV'. Later, a blizzard hit us and we decided to leave the device and return to safety."

After the flash floods, a mix of myths and rumours have filled Raini and neighbouring villages. Many claim that the nuclear system triggered the flash floods that caused havoc by washing away two projects of hydropower and killing many.

Also Read: How A Phone Call Saved 12 Lives In Uttarakhand After Flash Floods Hit An Underground Tunnel

TOI

According to the villagers the ¡®device¡¯ might be the cause of floods and melting glaciers. In the year 2010, the Bhabha Atomic Research Center responded to an RTI query by activist Gurvinder Singh Chadha which had a total of seven questions related to the radioactive device in question - ¡®This center has no information on the above. Hence, we are unable to provide any information under the RTI Act 2005.¡¯

Many books, including one by Stephen Alter, have been written about the issue. The Mussoorie-based author has written about a secret operation in which a system was to be built to track China which had conducted a nuclear test in 1962 in Xinjiang province.

The remote sensing device that was supposed to keep track of any further nuclear tests by China after 1964, weighing about 56kg, with an 8-10ft-high antenna, two transceiver setsa system, is believed to have been installed by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America and the Intelligence Bureau of India to spy on China.

Also Read: What Is Glacial Lake Outburst Flood That Wreaked Havoc In Uttarakhand

Live History India

When it was suspected that the device could be harmful, a team was reportedly sent to locate the machine in 1966 but they were unable to find it.

It is said that the system has a life of about 100 years, of which 45 remain. Nevertheless, many consider the tale to be far from fact and even a myth.

Mohan Singh, another resident of Raini village who has taken part in many expeditions in Nanda Devi glaciers was quoted as saying by TNIE, "I don't think this flash flood is a result of any device. I don't believe in this story. To me these are just rumours which started at some point in time and became a myth eventually."

Myth or reality, the cause of the floods is yet to be determined.