Heavy snowfall, strong winds cause disruptions across Georgia

Heavy snowfall and strong winds continued to cause disruptions across Georgia on Wednesday, with road access restricted and residential locations left without power following successive days of adverse weather conditions.

The Roads Department said on Wednesday traffic for all types of motorised transport was prohibited on the Nichbisi-Didgori-Didi Toneti highway in the south-west.

It also said the kilometre 1-52 section of the Gomi-Sachkhere-Chiathura-Zestafoni highway in the west had been closed for trailers and semi-trailers due to blizzard conditions and low temperatures, with other vehicle types allowed on the road without restrictions. 

Snowfall also caused problems on internal rural roads in the mountainous parts of the Adjara region in the west, leaving seven villages in Khulo municipality without electricity. Mayor Vakhtang Beridze said clearing works were “intensively ongoing” and involving “all relevant bodies”, and added power was expected to be restored to all villages throughout Wednesday.

Also in mountainous Adjara, traffic towards Goderdzi Ski Resort remained open for off-road vehicles.

Strong winds also tore up hundred-year-old trees in several areas of the western city of Kutaisi, the City Hall said, while trees were also uprooted, electric poles damaged and rooftops of residential houses torn off in the seaside Poti municipality, where a part of the city lost power. Poti City Hall said its services were operating in “emergency mode” to deal with the disruptions.

Photo via Governor's Administration in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti

Strong winds also created problems in the Samegrelo region in the west, where power lines were damaged in several municipalities.The State Representative - Governor's Administration in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti said supply was expected to be gradually restored with professionals from Energo-Pro Georgia company working in affected areas.