Heavy rainfall caused flooding and mudslides in western Georgia on 29 July, 2020.
According to local authorities, flooding affected several villages in Oni municipality, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region. Roads and bridges were damaged or destroyed, leaving around 2,000 people cut off. Power and drinking water supply was interrupted.
Flooding was also reported in Guria Region, where roads and crops were damaged, and in Imereti Region, in particular in Tskaltubo municipality where the Rioni River broke its banks. Meanwhile mudflows have blocked roads in Tskhinvali region.
Georgia’s National Environment Agency (NEA) reported that the Rioni river at Alpana jumped from 1.35 metres on 28 July to 3.6 metres the following day. Alert level here is 2.5 metres and danger 3.8 metres.
NEA also said that Shovi in Racha recorded 84 mm of rain in 12 hours. Around 50mm of rain fell in the city of Kutaisi in Imereti region in 24 hours to 29 July. Further heavy rain is expected.
