Georgia Grapples with Severe Weather: Landslides Force Evacuations, Flooding Plagues Batumi

Heavy rainfall has triggered significant disruption across western Georgia in recent days, leading to landslides, widespread flooding, and the temporary evacuation of families. The Khelvachauri municipality and the city of Batumi have been particularly affected, with residents expressing frustration over damaged infrastructure and perceived inaction from authorities.

Landslides and Evacuations in Khelvachauri

On August 10, 2025, heavy rain initiated landslides in the Khelvachauri municipality, prompting the temporary evacuation of 15 families from their homes. Local authorities cited safety concerns due to unstable ground posing a serious risk near houses. These families are expected to return once officials deem the danger has passed.

The downpour has also severely impacted infrastructure in the region. Both main and local roads were flooded, requiring cleanup crews to work continuously with heavy machinery to clear debris. Several neighbourhoods have been cut off from basic services, with parts of Akhalsopeli, Makhinjauri, and Sharabidzeebi losing drinking water due to damage at water treatment facilities. In the village of Erge, approximately 40 households remain without electricity, although power has been restored to 20 other customers, with repairs anticipated soon for the rest. Municipal and emergency services are working jointly on repairs, and the region remains on alert for further rainfall. Georgia's mountainous terrain often experiences intense summer storms, making communities like Khelvachauri particularly vulnerable to landslides and flooding.

Residents in Khelvachauri have voiced concerns about the delayed response. Mari Dumbadze, from Makho village in Khelvachauri municipality, reported being virtually cut off on August 9, 2025. She stated that landslides had occurred in several places, including near her gate, making the internal village road impassable even on foot. Her family also faced issues with water and electricity supply, with an electric transmission pole damaged by a landslide, leading them to manually cut power. Despite calling 112 multiple times since 11:25 AM, no technical support or services had arrived, only a village trustee who took photos and left. Dumbadze highlighted that applications had been submitted to the City Hall for the past 2-3 years regarding these issues, yet nothing had changed. With the landslide now reaching her house, she expressed fear about staying overnight.

Batumi Grapples with Chronic Flooding

Batumi has also experienced significant flooding, with numerous streets and the ground floors of residential homes and offices inundated on August 9, 2025. Dariko Gogolishvili-Turmanidze, a resident of Melikishvili Street, reported that the first floor of her two-story house floods after every rain. She expressed deep frustration, stating she no longer calls Batumi City Hall or 112, questioning "what's the point?". She recounted that 112 previously advised waiting for street water to drain before they would pump out her house, which she found illogical as the water would likely recede from her home naturally by then. Gogolishvili-Turmanidze noted that her furniture is constantly damaged and has to be placed on bricks, receiving no compensation for damages. She also claimed that a City Hall representative once advised her to raise her yard. Citizens in her neighbourhood echoed similar long-standing problems that they say the City Hall and government are aware of, but which remain unaddressed for years.

Batumi City Hall issued a statement on August 9, 2025, acknowledging the problems caused by the heavy rain. They reported active cleaning of drainage and sea-exit channels and the initiation of pumping work using special equipment from "Batumi Water" and "Adjara Water Alliance". While municipal bus movement was initially disrupted, it has since been fully restored. Water supply was restricted in several areas, including Benze, Bartskhana, Ortabatumi, Gorodok, Tsinsvla, and on Pagava and Makatsaria streets, due to increased turbidity levels in rivers.

The weather forecast for Ajara indicates intermittent rain and thunderstorms are expected on August 10, with some areas potentially experiencing heavy rainfall, before clearing begins from August 11. However, residents like Dariko Gogolishvili-Turmanidze continue to attribute the persistent flooding issues to the "illegitimate government of 'Georgian Dream'," stating that the problem with drainage channels has not been resolved for years.