Environment Agency: Batumi records 100-year rainfall event for September

Heavy rainfall was recorded along the Adjara coastline and surrounding areas from September 19 through the morning of September 20, resulting in flooding on streets in several parts of Batumi and temporarily overwhelming urban infrastructure, according to the National Environment Agency.

The agency said the amount of rainfall recorded at the Batumi meteorological station over a 24-hour period was unprecedented for September compared with historical data and corresponds to a rainfall event with a 100-year return period.

“According to meteorological observations by the National Environment Agency, the highest rainfall levels in the region were recorded in Batumi, where it rained continuously for 21 hours. The total amount of precipitation recorded on September 19–20 reached 275 millimeters, exceeding 90% of the monthly climatic norm.

“At the same time, 20% of this amount, or 52.5 millimeters, fell within a single hour, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on September 19.

“Compared with historical data, the amount of precipitation recorded at the Batumi station over 24 hours — 273 millimeters — is unprecedented for September and corresponds to a rainfall event with a 100-year return period.

“According to data from the agency’s meteorological stations, precipitation recorded on September 19–20 amounted to 134.5 millimeters at the Kobuleti station, 58.5 millimeters at the Kokhi station in Kobuleti Municipality, 93 millimeters at the Mtirala National Park station, and 50.8 millimeters at the Sindieti station in Khelvachauri Municipality,” the agency said.

The National Environment Agency continues to monitor hydrometeorological conditions around the clock.

Information and warnings about expected weather conditions and hydrometeorological hazards are available through the agency’s early warning mobile platform, it said.