In the Risk Zone

Since 1987, 400 people have died in Georgia from natural disasters. During the same period, about 50 thousand of families have been displaced with the status of eco-migrant. Tens of villages have been completely emptied. According to the National Agency information, more or less, all the regions of Georgia are in danger. According to specialists, with the abundance of sediments, the activation of the disastrous geological processes is expected. More than 50 villages of the region are facing danger.


According to the Network of Non-governmental Organization of Caucasus Environmental Protection, in the villages of Giorgeti and Tachisubani of Lagodekhi Municipality, the degradation of the land reached catastrophic stage. The village Giorgeti, inhabited by 500 peasants, is facing the danger of being flooded by the river Kabali. According to the residents, the 80% of the agricultural land is flooded and filled with sand and cobbles. Locals worry that after 2-3 years, no land will be left for cultivation or pasturage. In certain places, the river Kabali approaches the village by 100 meters that endangers human life.

The same problem is observed in the village of Rachisubani. There are only 27 families of peasants here. According to the environmental protection activists, the seasonal flooding of the river Salesavi creates danger for the village.

The residents of the village Satskhene of the municipality of Yvareli are asking for help as well. The village is attacked by the river on both sides and if the bank strengthening works are not conducted, the flooded rivers may destroy the whole village.

According to the evaluations of the specialists, the situation is alarming in the valley of Duruji. According to the doctor of technical sciences, Anzor Sakandelidze, Yvareli is in danger of being buried alive. “The situation is really hard. The preventive measures should be taken soon. Otherwise, the river may destroy the whole village of Yvareli,” – notes the head of department of geological danger and geological managing of environment of National Agency of Environment, Emil Tsereteli.

In case of activation of landslide processes, two villages of Akhmeta municipality will be endangered: Shakhvetila and Bayilovani. The activation of landslide processes is expected in the village Akhshena of Akhmeta municipality, the certain parts of Telavi-Gombori highway; in the city of Gurjaani in Gurjaani municipality: In Kardenakhi and Qodalo; the cities of Signagi and Nukriani – Signani municipality – the certain parts of Signagi highway; the villages of Sagarejo municipality: Big Chailuri, Verona, Gombori, at the Patardzeuli valley of Tbilisi-Sagarejo highway.

The flooding is expectable in the valleys of the river Ilto and Alazani, in the territories of the villages Chachkhriala, Sabue, Naduqnari, Shakhvetila and Chartala; the southern territories of the village Shakriani, at the highway of Lagodekhi-Akhmeta highway, at 62 km; the northern territories of the villages Erisimedi and Sabatlo. According to Emil Tsereteli, for 2010, 60 settlements and 410 residence homes will be observed.


Including the year of 2006, 53 000 landslides have occurred in the territory of Georgia, the overall land area of which exceeds 1.5 million hectare. The 70% of it covered the urbanized territories. 25% of the watersides of reservoirs and 30% of state highways have been damaged. The environmental protection activists estimate 3000 settlements dangerous for human life. The disaster inflicted 15 million financial loss on Kakheti region.


The catastrophic statistics reflect the unestimated damage inflicted on the country for the last tens of years. During 1987-1989 years, the damage surpassed billion dollars, and 10 billion dollars was needed to liquidate the damage inflicted in 1991-1992 years.

Despite the hard situation, serious measures for preventing the possible flood for the season of fall, practically, have not been taken. The reason for this was named to be the lack of enough financial resources in the local budget. According to them, the central budget doesn’t provide enough resources for prevention of catastrophic disasters. According to official data, compared to last year, this year the expenses for the bank strengthening works have been reduced to 1 million 800000 lari from 9 million lari.

In case of natural development of the processes, the economic damage of the country might reach 100-150 million dollars. In case of extreme activation, the damage can reach hundreds of millions. According to statistical data, the expenses of prevention are at minimum 40 times less than the damage by the disaster. The liquidation money ensures the solution of only 1.4% of the problems. Out of 70 sufferers, only one is provided the state assistance.