Georgia-Russia road closes again, experts forecast heavy rain
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The main road connecting Georgia and Russia has been closed again as meteorologists suggest the weather will worsen and another landslide could occur, potentially damaging the road and other infrastructure.
The Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi Road (Georgian Military Highway) only reopened yesterday after being closed for 10 days after a section of the road was washed away in a landslide in late June.
Today Georgia’s Ministry of Infrastructure said the weather forecast by the country’s Environment Ministry predicted heavy rains were expected in eastern Georgia until July 7.
Experts said the downpours could lead to new landslides and mudslides.
"Considering this forecast, Georgia’s Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure decided to restrict the traffic through the Dariali Gorge to avoid possible risks,” said the Ministry in a statement.
"Traffic will resume once the weather clears and the meteorological and geological risks are reduced.”
The Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi Road (Georgian Military Highway) is the only road linking Georgia and Russia.
The road reopened last evening after being blocked for 10 days following one kilometre of the road near the border checkpoint was washed away by June 23 landslide.
The only road linking Georgia and Russia is reopening today after being blocked by a landslide for 10 the past days. Georgia’s Road Department announced the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi Road would fully reopen at 5pm today.
People wanting to go to Russia from Georgia are being helicoptered to the border by Georgian police after a landslide blocked the only road linking the two countries.
Georgia’s First Vice President, Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili believes it take about two weeks to rebuild a section of road that was swept away by a mud flow in northern Georgia yesterday.
A landslide has fallen in Devdoraki Gorge in northern Georgia, blocking roads and a checkpoint at the Georgia-Russia border.
Georgia suggests alternative routes
Georgia’s Interior Ministry is offering several alternative routes for people wanting to go to Russia from Georgia but can’t as a landslide still blocks only road linking the two countries.
The main road connecting Georgia and Russia has reopened today but drivers must adhere to several rules when driving on the route, announced Georgia’s Ministry of Infrastructure.
Streets and homes in Georgia's Black Sea coastal town Batumi in the west are flooded following hours of heavy rain since early this morning.
The Georgian Government is taking measures to assist people affected by the heavy rain in the western parts of Georgia.
The construction of a new tunnel at the crossing of the Dariali and Devdorak gorges has begun in northern Georgia.