Tbilisi flooding: Bad weather hampers recovery work

All rescue and cleaning works have been suspended in Tbilisi’s most affected district, as the weather is forecast to worsen this evening.

Weather experts predicted strong rain would hit capital Tbilisi about 6pm. The heavy rain is also forecast to affect the whole territory of Georgia. 

The country's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called on the hundreds of volunteers currently working in the centre of Tbilisi to take care of themselves and leave the area immediately.

He said as the weather was expected to worsen, it would be safer for everyone to go home now.

Volunteers leave Mziuri Mark. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

The Governmental Emergency Headquarters decided to withdraw all workers and machinery from the Vere river valley.

Rescue officers were ordered to organise and oversee the movement of volunteers and staff out of the area.