Three dead after flood in west Georgia

Three Georgians have drowned in a tragic accident in western Georgia and many others are dealing with damage caused by heavy rain and flooding.

Flooding in the Vani region is believed to be the cause of an accident which claimed the lives of three people yesterday.

The region’s Governor Zaza Khurtsidze said heavy rain caused the Kvinistskali river to flood, which then became extremely powerful and smashed into a bridge. A car with five passengers was on top of the bridge at the time and the car was washed downstream.

Of the five people inside the vehicle, three drowned and two survived.

"Rescuers found one of the deceased yesterday and two other [bodies] were discovered today,” Khurtsidze said.

Georgia’s Minister of Finance Nodar Khaduri travelled to the accident site and ordered a state commission be established to determine the scale of the damage caused by the flooding.

"We are very sad because of this unfortunate disaster. All expenses for the funerals will be covered by the state. In addition, we are starting to realize the damage that was inflicted to the population and we will try to compensate all losses,” the Minister said.

Heavy rain and floods affected about 12 families in Amagleba village, in Vani region. Bad weather and heavy rain also caused damage in Guria - another region in western Georgia.

Guria Governor press office spokesperson Nino Lemonjava said there was strong flooding in Chokhatauri municipality last night.

"Locals are affected by the flood, ground floors of homes and agricultural lands are swamps. There are no casualties. Respective services were working … all night,” Lemonjava said.

The disaster also caused damage to Nabeglavi village, where famous Georgian mineral water is produced. A Nabeglavi factory was forced to stop for several hours.

Lomjaria said a landslide blocked the road towards summer resort Bakhmaro as well.

Overall the flood destroyed three bridges and caused a landslide on the Sairme-Udabno highway, which blocked traffic.

The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure started clean-up works yesterday and partially restored traffic on the road. The road will be completely opened later today.