Tbilisi Flood Death Toll Rises to 17

Damage caused by the deadly flood in Tbilisi is "quite substantial and may reach 100 million lari" (about USD 45 million), said PM Irakli Garibashvili on June 16 while visiting some of the worst hit areas on June 16.

"We are actively working with donors, various international organizations... and we hope that donor organizations will help us to address these problems. We will prepare specific projects and submit to donors to address immediate needs," PM Garibashvili said on June 16.

Meanwhile rain in Tbilisi late on Tuesday afternoon forced the authorities to suspend clearing works and withdraw workers, volunteers and heavy equipment from the flood-hit areas as a precaution.

Very initial estimation of flood damage was GEL 40 million, but Finance Minister said on June 15 that the cost would be "much higher."

EU and individual EU-member states, the U.S., as well as neighboring countries, among them Russia, expressed readiness to provide assistance to Georgia.

source: commonspace.eu with civil.ge

photo: Tbilisi Zoo (picture courtesy of civil.ge)

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