Economy Minister highlights Gov’t efforts to strengthen hydrometeorological monitoring systems

Levan Davitashvili summarised the Government's efforts to strengthen hydrometeorological monitoring systems throughout the country at a press briefing held today. Photo: Ministry of Economy

Agenda.ge, 07 Aug 2023 - 17:15, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday summarised the Government's efforts to strengthen hydrometeorological monitoring systems throughout the country at a press briefing held following Monday’s Government meeting.

The Minister was answering a question on measures taken over the matter following the landslide that killed at least 18 in the country’s west last week, with the official asked about efforts made since his 2018 announcement as the then Environment Minister that an “effective early warning system” would be in place throughout Georgia in “two to three years”. 

We have done a lot in the country to strengthen hydrometeorological monitoring systems and make monitoring possible. But unfortunately, no matter what we do, we can be powerless in the face of this type of natural disaster [referring to the landslide]. We are facing a tragedy. Speculating on such topics is immoral and irresponsible”, Davitashvili told the media. 

Davitashvili claimed no hydrometeorological systems had been in place across the country in 2014 and added circumstances were “quite weak in terms of environmental protection”.

The whole system was broken, and no employee was responsible for it. Since 2018, the country has carried out significant work related to the study of geological hazards. A monitoring report is published every year, which is an important guide for state agencies and also in terms of planning future projects”, he said.

He also said 200 modern hydrometeorological stations had been installed since 2018 and allowed monitoring the rise of water levels, adding systems were also installed at 20 areas with landslide risks, which had not included Shovi as “[natural] processes of this type had never been recorded” in the resort. 

The Minister told the press the Ministry of Environmental Protection had purchased two modern radars, with three currently operating across the country, adding natural hazard studies had also been conducted in 11 river basins, with maps produced based on their results.

He told reporters “[i]n many cases, unfortunately, we are powerless, and it is impossible to prevent and avoid things”, before claiming the “great tragedy and calamity that happened in our country [last week] has become the subject of political speculation”.