UPDATE: rescuers recover body of minor from landslide-hit area in Georgia’s west

Updated: 12:41

Rescuers working in a landslide-hit area in Georgia’s west on Friday recovered a body of a minor in the village of Jumati of Ozurgeti municipality.

The Interior Ministry confirmed the recovery that follows damage and disruptions caused by heavy rain and landslides in Guria and Adjara regions on Thursday and early Friday. 

One minor and an adult still remain missing in the localities affected by the landslides, the body added, noting houses had been flooded or swept away, while bridges, roads and other infrastructure were “severely damaged” in the affected municipalities. 

The Ministry said its employees from different units were present at the scene and heavy hardware was involved in rescue and clearing efforts, urging the public to refrain from movement throughout the areas and follow instructions of state agencies. 

Eleven individuals, including children, have been evacuated from the disaster zone, Rustavi 2 TV channel reported on Friday, adding the Samtredia-Lanchkhuti-Grigoleti central highway had been flooded, with a section temporarily closed to traffic. 

Earlier:11:58

Three individuals, including two minors, are missing after a landslide hit Guria and Adjara regions in Georgia’s west on Thursday and early on Friday,  the Georgian Interior Ministry said on Friday. 

The Public Safety Command Centre  received more than 100 notifications from the affected zone, the body added, noting the landslide had flooded residential houses, uprooted trees and damaged infrastructure, while several villages in Guria were cut off following heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides.

Ozurgeti Mayor said all responsible state agencies had been involved in the disaster response activities, with heavy hardware involved in rescue and cleaning efforts. 

Search and rescue efforts have been ensured in the affected municipalities and all notifications are being gradually responded to, the Ministry said. 

Local authorities in the Guria village of Jikhanjiri of Lanchkhuti municipality have assessed the situation as “extremely difficult” and said a landslide swept away houses, destroyed bridges and other infrastructure. 

About 10 houses have been reported destroyed in Lanchkhuti municipality alone.