Web Portal on Human Rights in Georgia

Head of the Caucasian Environmental NGO Network CENN Revaz Getiashvili said flood in Tbilisi was easily predictable.

He said it was easy to preliminarily estimate risk-zones though corresponding institutions did not work in coordination and it resulted into the deadly flood.

“If we foresee risks, we can predict natural disasters. They discussed only respond measures during the flood though it was not properly done either. At least, the information system should work properly which could warn people against staying in basements. The people had to know how to escape the tragedy that happened in Tbilisi. The same situation is in regions too. In general, there is weak system of natural disaster management in the country. Many chains, that should work in this system, does not function at all and consequently, we start speaking only post-factum; after the natural disaster occurs,” Getiashvili said.

He said corresponding institutions must work in coordination.

“If the system worked properly, the country would have received ten times less damage,” Getiashvili said.

The funds allocated for the natural disaster prevention was reduced without any explanations. As a result, the country receives damage of hundred million GEL every year.