Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, together with President Mikheil Kavelashvili, familiarized himself with relief measures and challenges related to heavy snowfalls in the Imereti Region.

During today’s Task Force meeting, the Head of Government was briefed in detail on road clearing efforts and pressing needs.

Road clearing work is underway in the region, though there remain a few mountainous villages with hindered access. To solve this issue, it was decided at the Task Force meeting to mobilize additional special machinery in the region.

It was noted that, as soon as the road are cleared, electric power and gas supply restoration will commence for subscribers who do not receive utility services due to heavy snowfalls.

The highest numbers of such subscribers are in Samtredia and Vani Municipalities. It was pointed out that, as a result of efforts carried out last night, electric power delivery was restored to about 6,000 subscribers, and just as many in the region will receive electric power before the end of the day. Intensive work continues on restoring Vani Municipality’s electric power delivery, with about 6,000 subscribers presently deprived of this service.

To promptly solve problems caused by heavy snowfalls in the region, all relevant institutions have been mobilized both on central and local levels. The Defense Forces are actively engaged in the process, and so are the Emergency Management Service and emergency response crews.

“The Imereti Task Force is mobilized. The situation in five municipalities is relatively difficult, some villages are isolated with no communication possible at this point. Generally, there are many villages with limited communication. However, local authorities and the Rescue Service are doing their best to enter these villages. There is a problem with electric power delivery, too. However, work is underway, and many subscribers now have their power supply back. The situation in many locations remains difficult. Work is, however, in full swing, and the situation improves by the hour. We believe that it will possible basically to solve the problem in 2-3 days,” the Prime Minister said.