Temporary bridge installed to access disaster zone in Georgia’s west following landslide - Roads Department

The Roads Department of Georgia on Saturday said it had installed a temporary bridge to access the disaster zone in the western municipality of Oni, after a landslide killed at least 16 in the Shovi resort on Thursday, which would “significantly” contribute to the ongoing search and rescue operations.

The Department also noted that the construction of alternative access roads to the disaster area was underway, adding the disaster relief works “have continued intensively”.

The body noted 43 units of heavy equipment were involved in the disaster relief operations, including 15 working right at the epicentre of the landslide and stressed “several dozen” of equipment would be added to the site.

On Thursday the bridges on the 136th and 139th kilometres of the Kutaisi-Alpana-Mamisoni pass highway had been swept away by the landslide.