Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Heavy snowfall has created serious problems for Georgia's roads and energy system.

Throughout its existence, Georgian energy system had never experienced such a powerful crisis, Georgian Minister of Energy said at a government emergency meeting on December 15.

"Heavy snowfall cut off dozens of villages in Georgia from the outside world, leaving several hundreds of thousands subscribers without supplies. The situation has now stabilized, and recovery in the power system is almost complete," Kakha Kaladze said.

Heavy snowfall on December 8 created snow drifts and icy conditions on the roads of Georgia, and left about 22, 000 subscribers without electricity.

Snowfall in Georgia continues. Restrictions imposed on vehicles on the Mtskheta - Stephantsminda - Lars road (Georgian Military Road) in the direction of the Russian border, as well as Rikoti Pass which connects the western and eastern parts of Georgia.

Temporary headquarters for crisis management was set up in Georgia in order to respond in an operatively and timely manner to the challenges faced by the country.

"In relation to the nearest future, State Security and Crisis Management Council and Crisis Management United Coordination Center will be finally established in Georgia with the active assistance of our American, British, and Jewish partners," Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said at an emergency meeting.

Ministers of Energy, Regional Development and Infrastructure, and Internal Affairs, Deputy Defense Minister, and representatives of other state agencies participated at the meeting.

During the special session, the prime minister expressed his interest in the situation in West Georgia due to bad weather conditions, and was informed by the ministers about the ongoing restoration works.

Garibashvili did not exclude the possibility of attracting staff of ministries internal affairs and defense to the recovery efforts. "If necessary, the military and the police can be mobilized for restoration works in Adjara".

Garibashvili also urged media representatives to cover the problems and government activities objectively.