Heavy rain hits western Oni municipality, damages 10 bridges, central highway

Heavy rain has hit 12 villages in Georgia’s western Oni municipality (Racha region). Ten bridges have been washed away by the Rioni River.

The governor of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Archil Japaridze said that 2,000 people have been stranded in the villages of Oni municipality, as the Rioni River has damaged the central highway.

Governor of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Archil Japaridze said as soon as the weather improves, we will be able to provide assistance to those in need. Photo: Tamo Chikhradze/Facebook.

The central highway is cut off in three places, which makes movement impossible. We are in touch with local residents. I can not yet say exactly how long it will take to restore the bypass roads. As soon as the weather improves, we will be able to provide assistance to those in need”, said Japaridze.

Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s advisor for regional development issues Sozar Subari, Director of the United Water Supply Company Giga Mandaria, and Head of Emergency Management Service Temur Mgebrshvili will study the disaster on the ground.