Cold Snap in the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region

Population of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region was initially damaged by the flood in spring and then by subfreezing temperatures in the winter. People complained about floods and landslides; but now they have many problems because of inclement weather conditions.

Extreme low temperatures are nothing new or out of the ordinary for those living in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region but this year the winter is unusually prolonged and cold. However, when they seem to last for ever, they are something that is unexpected. Roads have been frozen for more than a month and a half.

People can neither walk nor drive cars. People are not being supplied with water supply on a regular basis. Pipes are frozen and it seems that there is no break in the weather in sight.  Guram Sheshaberidze, the head of the Tsklakanali Ltd (water providing company), told that similar harsh weather conditions was last recorded in 1905. However, it lasted for only for three days. He estimates that the current weather conditions in Akhaltsikhe as being on the level of a natural disaster.

“Conditions are still freezing in the region. We understand that like weather conditions might continue at least another ten days. Currently water supply lines, not only in the centre, but on the edges of town are all frozen.  I am afraid that even in those parts of town when water still flows might freeze up soon.  Thus, we concluded that natural disaster has taken hold over our town. The soil is frozen to the depth of 80 centimeters. Our water pipe-line and the sewage system are installed at approximately that depth. Nearly 80 % of the town has frozen plumbing.  Now we are trying to at least save the central system.”

The Public Service Department has had to cope with many problems as well. The only thing they can mange is to put salt on the frozen roads and hope for the best. Sarkis Kuzadiani, a representative of the department, said that clearing of the roads is not their responsibility but under the order of the regional administration, they carrying out that work too.

Locals are seriously worried about the weather conditions in the region. People from Akhaltsikhe say that the frost has spoiled their food reserve and damaged their houses.

“I have been terribly impacted because of the weather. Water pipes have burst and there has been water damaged the house. Both the roof and walls are in a dire state.  The yard is completely frozen. Our stocks of potatoes, apples, and cabbage have all be lost. I am 63 years old and cannot remember similar prolonged freezing conditions in my life,’ said Jullieta Tumasian.

“Pipes are frozen: I have neither a supply of water nor the sewage system works,” said Ira Karaksian.

Residents of the village of Minadze are seriously concerned about the conditions. In autumn they irrigated their plots and now it has caused serious problems for them. “Pipes for drinking water are completely frozen. The temperature has not risen above -23; it is natural disaster of course. If similar situation continues too long, fruit-trees will be also damaged. Many of us irrigated our gardens in autumn. Some of us have products frozen in the cellars. I cannot recollect similar weather in my life. If there ever had, it lasted only one or two days,” said Giorgi Gevorkian, a resident of the village of Minadze.

Guram Sheshaberidze defined that their company tries to repair the water system to protect population from being without a supply of water.

“A similar cold spell with freezing temperatures began on January 6 and since then the weather has become colder and colder. If now the weather would break and it would starts melting, and if then it freezes again, nothing will save us. The whole system will have been destroyed and we will not be able to check the situation about the inside plumbing until spring.  Temperatures have fallen to -32 degrees in the area from where the water is pumped from the Uravle flows. The entire region is supplied from that river. The temperature has not been higher than -27 degrees in the area where the pump house is located.”

The spring of 2007 created many problems for villagers in the region. A year ago people were afraid that poor harvest for the next year.  Their fears will continue for the next harvest as well. The peasants of the region have been fighting various natural disasters for three years already, and they are tired, about ready to give up the fight – give into the elements.

Gulo Kokhodze, Akhaltsikhe