Georgian PM: reconstruction of landslide-hit western Shovi resort “not recommended”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said a reconstruction of western Georgia’s Shovi resort, which was hit by a deadly landslide in August, was “not recommended”, and added state authorities would hold consultations to establish compensations for those who had held land or infrastructure in ownership in the locality.

The conclusion is that it is not recommended to begin the reconstruction process […] The next steps will involve detailed consultations. I will meet with the relevant ministers to determine the appropriate legal principles and compensation for those affected”, he said.

The landslide killed 32 people in the resort, with studies presented this year citing intense melting of glaciers, collapse of rock formations in their headwaters, heavy rains, erosive processes and a glacier runoff as the causes.