“All relevant divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been working in emergency for the third day in western Georgia due to heavy snowfall,” reads the statement by the Emergency Management Service.

According to the agency, nearly 600 firefighter-rescuers from the Emergency Management Service and dozens of special equipment units, including snowmobiles, are involved in rescue operations.

“Firefighter-rescuers have so far assisted dozens of people in extremely difficult terrain conditions and evacuated elderly individuals, children, and those requiring medical assistance from various villages in Adjara and Guria to safe locations. They have also rescued vehicles trapped in snow and snowdrifts that were unable to move due to heavy snowfall and deteriorating weather conditions.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are responding gradually to notifications received at the ‘112’ Public Safety Management Center. Patrol Police and Criminal Police officers, together with relevant services from various agencies, are mobilized on both central highways and internal state roads to ensure the safe and unhindered movement of vehicles and passengers.

All relevant divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs continue to work in an emergency manner together with other corresponding agencies,” the statement by the Emergency Management Service concludes.