Dozens of highland villages cut off from outside world due to heavy rainfall in western Georgia

More than 20 villages have been cut off from the outside world in western Georgian’s Lentekhi municipality due to heavy rainfall. 

As a result of the continuous rain, the Tskhenistskali river overflowed, which swept away substations and left four villages without electricity. 

Mayor of Lentekhi municipality Badri Liparteliani told on.ge that traffic on the connecting central section of Kutaisi-Tskaltubo-Lentekhi-Lasdili is paralysed. 

He said that the opening of the central road is the most important objective for now, noting that ‘the service of the emergency management and traffic department is mobilised on the spot.’

All types of traffic are banned in the section of the Zugdidi-Jvari-Mestia-Lasdili highway due to the overflowed Enguri river as well. 

Georgian Roads Department stated that they are working on an issue ‘in order to restore the traffic in the shortest possible time.’

Mestia municipality in the Svaneti region is also dealing with severe consequences of natural disaster. 

The high mountainous village Ushguli is also disconnected and has been left without electricity; the Mestia-Ushguli road is flooded.  

The National Environment Agency announced that rain with thunderstorms is expected in Georgia from time to time, in some places possible hail and strong wind are as well expected until July 29.