Landslide hits Gomaro village in Adigeni municipality: two houses damaged

A landslide has struck the village of Gomaro in Adigeni Municipality, damaging two residential properties, Adigeni Mayor Gocha Kimadze told GPB First Channel. According to the Mayor, one of the properties had already been evacuated following natural disasters last year.

Kimadze confirmed that the main road has since been cleared and local transport routes remain fully accessible.

“Torrential rain began after 18:00. Our heavy machinery was already en route to the area. We experienced a similar event last year and put the necessary works out to tender; however, the tender process failed several times because no contractors took it on, leaving the ravine unfortified for all this time.

Equipment crews managed to redirect the incoming mudflow back into its channel. Two houses were damaged: one had already been evacuated, with the occupants receiving compensation after last year’s event; the second property was flooded, but rescue services have since pumped the water out,” Mayor Kimadze explained.

Kimadze went on to say that the road is open and the clearance works will resume on Friday.

“The road is open, and residents face no travel disruptions. Remaining clearance work will resume tomorrow to clean and deepen the ravine channel. Machinery has been left on standby at the site as a precaution against further rain. Everything is under control, and there is no immediate threat to residents,” Kimadze added.

The Mayor stated that municipal authorities will formally request central government to assist and deploy technical experts to the site on Friday.

“The surge stems from runoff collected in natural mountain basins, which then pours down the ravine. The ravine is so narrow that it quickly chokes with gravel and rock, overflowing its banks and triggering these events. We will send official requests tomorrow for hydrologists, geologists, and structural engineers to inspect the area and assess whether mitigation is feasible.

It is a highly complex terrain. Given that multiple tenders for design works have failed due to these technical challenges, if experts conclude that the ravine cannot be secured, the government may decide to compensate the affected residents instead. Six families are living in the immediate area. Three face potential future risks, but it may be best for all six to receive compensation.

Removing those homes would allow us to straighten the ravine channel and permanently resolve the hazard.

Regarding the two flooded properties: one family had already been compensated and no longer resides there. The second property suffered minor flooding; the occupants were out of town today, and the water has already been pumped clear. We will meet the homeowners tomorrow upon their return to discuss whatever support they require,” Kimadze noted.

Photo by TOK2Region.