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Danger Level in Guria Decreases Compared to First Day of Disaster, Says National Environment Agency

By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, September 11, 2023
On September 8, heavy rainfall in the regions of Guria and Adjara resulted in severe flooding of residential houses and fields, as well as damage to bridges and roads connecting villages.

Three individuals, including two children, lost their lives in this disaster.

According to the National Environment Agency, the level of danger in the Guria area has decreased compared to the initial day of the natural disaster.

As of September 9, the agency reported that in the Ozurgeti and Lanchkhuti municipalities, they had assessed 18 infrastructural facilities, 19 settlements, homesteads, and the homes of 80 families.

Additionally, they recommended 35 families to relocate to geologically stable areas for their safety.

"In the Ozurgeti and Lanchkhuti municipalities, as of September 9, 18 infrastructural objects, 19 settlements, homesteads, and the homes of 80 families were assessed. Additionally, 35 families were recommended to relocate to geologically stable areas.

As is well-known, during the night hours of September 8, abundant rainfall in the Guria and Adjara regions resulted in a significant increase in water levels in rivers, flooding in small rivers, and landslides in mountainous areas.

It should be noted that the mountainous Guria, due to natural hazards, has been one of the most challenging areas, especially in the last 10-15 years.

At this stage, based on studies conducted by the agency's specialists, the level of danger in the Guria area has decreased compared to the first day of the disaster.

Additionally, since this morning, specialists from the National Environment Agency have conducted a helicopter tour in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, specifically in the Magana river catchment area, where reports indicated river congestion. Following the inspection, no traces of blockages or any type of landslide gravity processes were found in the Magana valley and its tributaries," stated the agency's report.