“Shovi disaster was a complex geological and hydrological process,” according to Giorgi Gaprindashvili, Head of the Department of Natural Processes, Engineering-Geology, and Hydrogeology.
Despite having landslide monitoring systems installed in the Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti area, “it is practically impossible to predict rapidly developing processes of such a scale,” he went on to say.
According to the National Environment Agency, since 2014, the agency has been intensively developing systems for observing natural processes. Over the past three years, more than 60 meteorological, hydrological, and geological modern, automated observation systems have been placed in Western Georgia. Natural hazard maps are being created around the nation, and cutting-edge monitoring and forecasting technologies are being implemented.
At least 11 people have died and 25 are still missing after a landslide hit Georgia’s western resort town of Shovi on Thursday.
