Georgian Government takes measures as unusual freeze continues
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Georgia is intensifying its efforts to cope with the negative consequences caused by heavy snowfall and freeze throughout the country.
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has instructed head of the Government Administration’s Department of Relations with Regions and Local Self-governing Bodies, Giorgi Amashukeli to arrive in western Georgia - the area that was most affected by the bad weather conditions – and monitor the work that was underway.
Georgia’s Minister of Infrastructure Nodar Javakhishvili and Deputy Energy Minister Ilia Eloshvili were also in western Georgia to check on the restoring works.
Central city roads in western Georgia's Samegrelo region being cleaned by relevant state services. Photo by the Road Department.
Late last night, Kvirikashvili was briefed by officials of various state agencies about what actions were being taken to fight the negative consequences of the bad weather. The meeting was attended by representatives of the State Security and Crisis Management Council too.
Four western regions – Imereti, Samegrelo, Guria and Adjara were most affected by heavy snowfall.
In Imereti, 8 000 families left with no electricity after snow damaged the infrastructure. Officials said the works to restore electricity supply was underway and would be finished by the end of the day.
Meanwhile in Guria, a thick cover of snow broke off the roofs of several houses, leaving the families without shelter.
Snow caused problems on roads too. The Road Department announced movement restrictions on several sections.
Cleaning of central roads in western Georgia's Imereti region. Photo by the Road Department.
Due to heavy snowfall, storm and low visibility all kind of movement was forbidden at three locations in eastern and southern Georgia:
- The 90-112km section of the Akhaltsikhe-Ninotsminda road (near the border with Armenia);
- The 20-30km section of the Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi Road (near the Border with Turkey);
- The 110-146km section of the Koda-Partskhisi-Manglisi-Tsalka-Ninotsminda road (the road section between Rodionovna and Ninotsminda in southern Georgia).
Meanwhile, almost all of the country’s main roads were already cleaned and the major restrictions were removed. The Rikoti Pass - dividing Georgia into western and eastern parts - was also open to all kind of vehicles.
Minor restrictions were currently in place on several road sections only for trailer trucks and semi-trailer trucks. Read details here.
Georgia's National Environmental Agency said frost would weaken tonight and in the coming days.
From December 31 up to now 700 emergency calls were received by the Emergency Situation Management Centre of Georgia and almost of them have been immediately reacted on.
Low visibility in western Georgia has affected the normal functioning of Kutaisi International Airport. Two international flights that were scheduled to depart from Kutaisi were announced to depart from Tbilisi instead.
Two flights at the international airport in Kutaisi - Georgia’s second largest city - have been postponed after heavy snow hit the area. The weather affected Warsaw-Kutaisi and Kutaisi-Warsaw flights, both of which were scheduled early this morning.
Heavy snowfall hits Georgia’s Black Sea town Batumi, hampers entering ships to the port.
An online fundraiser is helping restore a popular Batumi book store damaged by heavy snow in Georgia's seaside city that hit the coastal region in the first days of the New Year.
It has been revealed that due to the threat of storms and avalanche Georgia continued traffic movement restrictions mainly in mountainous regions of Georgia.
The three Georgian citizens who went on hunting on December 28, 2015 and got lost due to heavy snow have been allegedly found in Dagestan, North Caucasus republic under the Russian rule.
Most Georgian roads are open for traffic. However, there are several routes remained under certain restrictions due to alleged accident threats.
All the road sections are open in Georgia and safe for transporting except the three directions, where the threat of avalanche, storms and heavy rains are the major hindering points for drivers.
As of today almost all road sections are open for drivers in Georgia. However, there are a few directions where transport still faces restrictions.
The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia announced today that four road sections are facing restrictions in Georgia.
Heavy snowfall and low visibility has once again caused problems to Georgia’s roads. The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia announced today that nine road sections were currently facing restrictions.
Winter is in full force in Georgia. Heavy snowfall and unusually strong frosts closed 200 schools across the country. Ice, low visibility and deep snow cover is causing major problems on roads throughout Georgia.
The Gudauri-Kobi section of eastern Georgia’s Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi route is closed for all vehicles due to storm and low visibility, Georgia’s Ministry of Infrastructure announced today. The Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi road is the route linking Georgia with Russia.
The Gudauri-Kobi section of eastern Georgia’s Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi route is closed for all vehicles due to heavy snow and avalanche threats, reports Georgia’s National Environment Agency.
Today Georgia's Road Department closed the Gudauri-Kobi section of eastern Georgia’s Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi route to all vehicles due to heavy snow and avalanche threats.
Winter is in full swing in Georgia. Last night a category 3-4 storm caused major infrastructural damage to beaches in Kobuleti resort and along the coastline in Georgia’s west.