Experts reveal initial findings of Dariali landslide investigation

International experts tasked with investigating the landslide in Dariali Gorge have presented their initial findings, which includes installing an automatic early warning system to alert locals of a possible disaster.

The Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department of the European Commission (ECHO), involving EU experts and Georgian specialists, spent nine days examining the gorge following the devastating landslide on May 17.

From May 25 to June 2, the group evaluated the area and came up with a list of recommendations to prevent future landslides and other disasters happening in Dariali Gorge.

One of the group’s major recommendations was to install an automatic early warning system that would sound if any movement was detected on the surrounding mountains. Investigators said this system would protect the local population and existing infrastructure in the area.

Furthermore, several stations have been established on high points in the nearby mountains where specialist equipment will monitor the environment to determine the future risk of landslides.

The ECHO experts said the May 17 landslide was triggered by natural events and the event had no connection with the construction of the Dariali Hydro Power Plant (HPP), which was being built 20km away.

Despite this ruling, some members of the local population and a handful of environmental experts still believed construction of the HPP caused the landslide.

Minister of Georgia’s Environment and Natural Resources Khatuna Gogoladze explained that the initial findings by ECHO experts were consistent to the assessments of Georgian geologists.

In the landslide event, it was believed one million cubic metres of landmass crashed down the mountainside and deposited in Tergi River. Roads were significantly damaged as a result. The area suffered major flooding, as mud and debris from the landslide blocked the river and flooded the nearby area.

Since the incident, emergency response units have worked to unblock the area by removing the excess debris from the valley floor. They also had to dig a new path for the river to flow through the valley. Work is continuing to deepen the river bed.

Workers were also tasked with repairing the road. Georgian authorities believed a new temporary road would open in a few days.

ECHO provided emergency assistance and relief to victims of natural disasters or armed conflict outside the European Union.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili discussed the Dariali landslide with President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso at a meeting in Brussels on May 21.

The Commissioner pledged the EU would offer assistance to the Georgian Government in response to the disaster.

The major slip happened in the early hours of May 17 near Gveleti village in northern Georgia, near the Russian border.

The border crossing at Larsi, which is the only border point between Georgia and Russia, still remains closed.