British risk expert impressed by Tbilisi flood recovery

A British crisis risk and security consultant says Georgia is making "impressive” gains to recover from last month’s deadly flood after viewing flood-ravaged areas in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

World renowned expert Stuart Harrison, who operates Stuart Harrison UK Crisis-Risk-Security, visited Svanidze and Tskneti streets, Vere Ravine, Mziuri Park and Tbilisi Zoo and its nearby territories, which all suffered immense damage in the June 13 flash flood.

Harrison observed the cleaning and recovery works in these areas and said it was heartening to see the local population react so "effectively” in the face of the disaster.

A significant part of the infrastructure was destroyed in Tbilisi and another part was damaged. As a result of the flood, Tbilisi Zoo and part of its inhabitants were also destroyed, which is a big loss for the city,” said Harrison.

"I was involved in solving a number of large-scale incidents in Great Britain. I would say the Government [here] really deserves praise because it did what it could to quietly and effectively manage the complicated and complex problem that resulted from the flood.”

Harrison said he was "surprised” at the recovery work that that had been carried out in less than a month since the disaster.

"I would like to mention that the construction works of the Crisis Management Council have not finished yet. So the teams have to work in the field. Based on my own experience it is very difficult to work in such conditions. It was really unimaginable to handle such a problem so effectively,” Harrison said.

I would say the efforts to fight against the flood damage is very impressive,” he added.

Harrison offered his condolences to the families and relatives of the flood victims and said what happened on June 13 in Tbilisi "was a terrible tragedy”.