Experts reveal initial findings of Dariali landslide investigation
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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.
The European Commission has activated the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism to respond to the May 17 landslide in Dariali Gorge.
Rescue workers have recovered a second body following the devastating landslide in Georgia's Dariali Gorge.
Rescue workers have recovered a man’s body following the devastating landslide in Georgia's Dariali Gorge.
The European Commission is offering assistance to Georgia as the country responds to the emergency situation in Dariali Gorge.
Emergency groups are attempting to build a temporary road in Dariali Gorge to enable vehicles to pass through the area, which was cut off when a devastating landslide blocked the valley on May 17.
Earthquake experts are monitoring seismic activity on Mount Kazbek following the devastating landslide in Dariali Gorge, northern Georgia, on May 17.
Heavy machinery used in the aftermath of the devastating landslide in Dariali Gorge has caused environmental impacts on the Tergi riverbed.
The landslide disaster in Dariali Gorge was caused by extreme movements of an icy glacier located high on a mountain peak, experts say.
Early this morning a section of mountainside collapsed and caused a landslide near Gveleti village, in the Kazbegi region.
The Prime Minister and President of Georgia are on their way to Dariali Gorge to offer their support following a landslide this morning near Gveleti village, in northern Georgia near the Russian border.
Six people are missing following a landslide this morning near Gveleti village, 20km from the Dariali Hydro Power Plant construction site in northern Georgia near the Russian border, say authorities after travelling to the landslide-hit territory.
Rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors and victims of a devastating landslide in Dariali valley. Sixteen foreign drivers have been moved to the Vladikavkaz border. However one of two foreign citizens, who were transferred to a Tbilisi hospital with various fractures, died this morning.
Authorities have instructed a full evacuation of Dariali Gorge after a weak earthquake struck the area this afternoon.
Workers have returned to Dariali Gorge after a three day break to resume clean-up work following the May 17 landslide.
A temporary motorway opened in Dariali Gorge today allowing traffic to pass through the area and enable residents who were blocked by the landslide to freely participate in the self-government elections.
Heavy rain was believed to be the cause of the landslide, which struck yesterday in Devdoraki Gorge, near Kazbegi and the Russian border.
Georgia’s President is in Dariali Gorge to offer his support following a landslide late last night in Devdoraki Gorge, near Kazbegi and the Russian border.
One major road through the Caucasus connecting Georgia to Russia blocked by this week’s landslide should be reopened in two weeks, says a Georgian official.
One person has died and another is missing following this week’s landslide in Devdoraki Gorge, near Kazbegi and the Russian border.
The gas supply to Armenia will resume in the next two days after this week’s landslide in northern Georgia damaged a major pipeline that supplies gas from Russia to Armenia, via Georgia, an official says.
The body of a man missing since the landslide in Devdoraki Gorge, near Kazbegi and the Russian border, has been found today.
Georgia is gearing up to have more energy security and produce more energy for the country with the opening of a new Hydro Power Plant (HPP) in Dariali valley in the northern Kazbegi municipality.
A protective dam has been built in the Tergi River in Dariali Gorge in northern Georgia to prevent the area from future natural disasters following the major landslide that killed at least three people last year.