Slope collapses in Tbilisi after heavy overnight rainfall causes disruptions across city

A part of a slope near the road connecting the Marshal Gelovani Avenue and Mukhran Matchavariani Street in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi collapsed on Wednesday following heavy overnight rainfall and strong winds.  

Power cables were also damaged and streets and underpasses flooded in certain districts of the city last night, with the Gldani district most affected by the rainfall. 

• Heavy rainfall, strong wind affect Georgia’s capital

Tbilisi City Hall said "all relevant agencies" of the Tbilisi Municipality and the Emergency Management Service were “fully mobilised” to eliminate the problems.

Mayor Kakha Kaladze said the right bank of River Mtkvari was "one of the complicated areas" where professionals worked throughout the night.

Kaladze said while drainage systems were "working properly”, rainfall and additional problems with the central sewage system had made the precipitation “physically impossible” to remove.

The City Hall asked citizens to refrain from moving in the streets and also opened a hotline at the number 2 72 22 22.

The National Environment Agency on Wednesday said the possibility of heavy rain, hail and winds would remain in eastern Georgia until the second half of the day on Wednesday.

The Agency also noted the potential of increasing water levels in rivers and activation of landslides and floods in mountainous areas.