Heavy snow closes Georgian roads

The winter weather has claimed its first victim.  

Elderly man Amiran Zakaraidze, 80, died after his car left the road in Machakhela Valley, in the Adjara region.

The road was icy and covered in snow.

Emergency services representative Mamuka Turmanidze said the accident was a result of heavy snow and severe weather.

Travel conditions are restricted on West and Central Georgian roads due to snow. About 25cm of snow currently covered these roads.  

Vehicles are permitted on highways only if they had anti-skid tyre chains. Large transport vehicles are prohibited.

Meanwhile, numerous trucks were stopped on these roads overnight.

"We dont know when we will be allowed to move forward, the one driver said.

Workers are on 24-hours schedules to remove snow from the roads.

The National Weather Station has forecast an improvement in the weather. Despite this, a frost has been predicted for Georgia. Conditions are forecast to be dry and cold in Georgia tomorrow and Thursday however unstable weather will last for several days.

In the western regions of Georgia, temperatures are expected to drop to -4C in lowlands, -12C in mountainous regions and -18C in high mountain areas. In eastern Georgia, temperatures are set to reach -10C in lowlands, -15C in mountains and -18C in high mountain areas.

The cold weather is predicted to improve after January 15.