Heavy Snow Created Problems for Tusheti Population

Lela Khechoshvili, Kakheti

Heavy snow during past few days in Tusheti district created serious problems for the population. Locals complain about problems of movement, no electricity supply, lack of medical personnel, and attack of wolves.

Snow cover exceeded 25 centimeters in Omalo village. Locals say the snow cover is more than 1 meter in Torgva Abano Pass. Traffic-movement is restricted on Pshaveli-Tusheti road. Because of the heavy snow several border police officers were caught in the villages of Omalo, Shenako, Dartlo and Diklo together with local inhabitants. They said the locals have reserve of food, medicines and firewood. 

There is only one nurse in the village and in case of necessity a doctor also arrives there by horse. If there is emergency situation a helicopter flies from Lechura village to Tusheti once a month.

In 2010-2011 Czech Development Agency funded a project in the frame of which electricity supply problem was to be eradicated in Tusheti. Sun system batteries were installed in the houses of permanent residents of the villages. However, several villages in Tusheti still do not have electricity because the batteries went wrong. “Those, who had small batteries, do not have electricity now. I do not know they went wrong or expired limit of use. Seven families in Omalo village do not have electricity,” local nurse Rusudan Shetidze told Human Rights Center.

Akhmeta district governor Beka Baidauri said the district administration pays particular attention to the Tusheti population. He said he did not have information about the families, who do not have electricity.

Attack of wolves is one more serious problem for Tusheti population during heavy snow that significantly damages them; however they hope for the support of border police officers.

Locals said more and more problems appear at the approaching winter season. They request more attention and assistance from the district administration.