Harsh winter causes problems in Georgia’s western Adjara region

Two people were rescued by local residents after they got trapped under an avalanche in Georgia’s western Adjara region early this morning.

The avalanche fell on the road linking Adjara’s mountainous Khulo municipality and Goderdzi ski resort.

Georgian media reported the two young men were dragged out of the snow by locals and were taken to hospital after rescue officers arrived. Doctors said their lives were not at risk.

Meanwhile one family had been evacuated from Okropirauli village in Adjara’s Keda municipality after experts said their house was located in an area at risk of a landslide.

It has been snowing constantly in Adjara for several days and a thick layer of snow now caused problems in several villages. 

Officials said six villages had no electricity and village roads were blocked. Heavy machinery was in place in mountainous Adjara to clean affected roads and restore the power supply.

Several villages in Adjara are still without electricity. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Restrictions on roads

The winter weather meant restrictions were put in place on several roads in other parts of the country too.

The Mleta-Kobi section of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi road, linking Georgia and Russia, was currently closed to large trucks and semi-trailers. Other vehicles were allowed to move freely.

Due to heavy snow and ice, the 1-22km section of the Alpana-Tsageri road in western Georgia’s Svaneti region was currently closed to truck and trailers, semi-trailers and vehicles that can carry more than 30 passengers. Other vehicles can move on this road only if they are fitted with anti-skid chains. There are no restrictions on this road for 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Heavy snow and ice meant the 71-188km (Khaishi-Ushguli in Svaneti) section of the western Zugdidi-Jvari-Mestia road was currently closed to truck and trailers, semi-trailers and large passenger vehicles. Other vehicles can travel on this road with anti-skid chains while there are no restrictions for 4-wheel drive vehicles. The 1-70km section of the same road was open to all vehicles.

Similarly, due to heavy snow and ice the 36-60km (Nakerala Pass) section of western Kutaisi-Tkibuli-Ambrolauri road was closed to large trucks, semi-trailers and large passenger vehicles. Other cars must have 4-wheel drive or be fitted with chains.

Heavy snow and ice meant the 87-106km section of the south-western Batumi-Akhatsikhe road was closed to all vehicles except for those with 4-wheel drive or with chains.