Storm, snow affects western Georgia

A strong storm is lashing the Black Sea coastal area while snow is falling in western Georgia’s higher areas.

Both weather events are causing problems in the Adjara region, in western Georgia.

The magnitude 5 storm is continuing to lash the Batumi coastline. It has caused severe damage to a rescue service station, which local rescuers said was so badly damaged it could not be fixed.

An even stronger storm, a magnitude 6, was causing havoc in the nearby coastal town of Poti. The Poti Port has closed and all ship movements have been suspended.

A landslide has caused significant damage to a recently rehabilitated road in Ozurgeti. It is believed the landslide resulted from heavy rain.

Meanwhile in Adjara’s mountain areas, heavy snow and landslides have isolated three villages while power had been cut to 11 villages.

Members of the local population said the snow had come "too early” this year and they were not prepared. Some said they were now unable to supply themselves with firewood and silage.

According to the local government, 70cm of snow had fallen in higher villages while 20cm had fallen in lower areas.

Officials have already begun to clean up the affected roads.