Road closures: Rescuers ask citizens to stay off Tbilisi roads

Rescuers are urging people in Tbilisi to refrain from driving in the capital city today as it hampered recovery works and road cleaning efforts.

Georgia’s Prime Minister said driving in Tbilisi today was "not safe” and he advised people to refrain from driving personal vehicles today "so the roads can remain relatively free and rescuers can complete their operations”.

Georgian authorities said people who drove their cars today obstruct the movements of special vehicles by 35 minutes.

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs announced traffic restrictions were in place in certain Tbilisi roads due to the natural disaster that took place on June 13.

Special vehicles cleaning the road. Photo by N. Alavidze / Agenda.ge

The tunnel near Bakhtrioni St is closed and traffic along Amirejibi highway – the new road of Vera district – is prohibited. Traffic is also banned on the right embankment, as well as on Queen Tamar St in the direction of Laguna Vere. Vehicle movement is also prohibited near the Philharmonic Concert Hall in the direction of Heroes Square.

Cars that wish to travel in any of these directions can use alternative routes. Vehicles are able to move towards Elbakidze St and Freedom Square from the Philharmonic Concert Hall, as well as from Elbakidze St towards Marjanishvili St via Galaktioni Bridge.

Traffic is banned towards the right embankment from Elbakidze Street.

The road near the Old House restaurant is closed and traffic flowing from Virsaladze St will move towards the Justice House.

From Avlabari Square vehicles can only travel along the left embankment; from Krtsanisi Square traffic will only be allowed to move via Leselidze St and Metekhi Bridge towards the left embankment. If traffic jams occur, vehicles on Gulua St will be rerouted via Ortachala Power Station.

Tbilisi residents involved in road cleaning works. Photo by N. Alavidze / Agenda.ge

Meanwhile public servants within Georgia’s Ministry of Finance were also advised not to drive today. The Ministry’s official cars have been temporarily stopped under the order of Minister Nodar Khaduri. Earlier today he asked the Ministry’s employers not to drive in Tbilisi today and disrupt the recovery process.

A special agency set up to handle the situation also called on Tbilisi locals not to drive today, and particularly stressed it was important to keep the roads near the disaster-affected area clear.

Since early this morning Georgian soldiers have taken part in rescue and cleaning operations together with the representatives of relevant agencies.

Already Tbilisi residents and people from nearby cities have brought food, warm clothes and other vital items to municipal centres to help families whose houses were completely swept away by the swollen Vere River.

Males and females, young and old gathered in the city centre and started cleaning up the mud-drenched streets. Photo by N. Alavidze / Agenda.ge