Heavy machinery used in the aftermath of the devastating landslide in Dariali Gorge has caused environmental impacts on the Tergi riverbed.
The direction of the riverbed has been changed by heavy machinery used to create a path to the dammed water after the landslide blocked roads and the valley floor.
Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Alexander Tchikaidze will remain at the accident site this evening to offer guidance to 24-hour rescue groups that are continuing to search for survivors and victims of the landslide.
A Ukrainian man died after suffering severe injuries in the landslide however rescue teams are still searching for five others who remain missing.
Several trucks were found squashed under rubble during search efforts today.
Following Saturday morning’s landslide, a special alarm has been installed at Gveleti village to warn village residents if another landslide is imminent. In this situation an alarm would sound to warn residents to evacuate the village.
It is believed one million cubic meters of land mass flew into Tergi River during the landslide.
The incident happened 20km away from where the Dariali Hydro Power Plant (HPP) is currently being built in northern Georgia, near the Russian border.
Russian authorities have assisted in the recovery efforts. Georgia’s neighbours provided local rescue crews with 18 tonnes of diesel fuel today as it was impossible to deliver fuel from the Georgian side.