Chaotic Weather Expected across the Country until Sept 12

Until September 12, unstable weather is expected throughout Georgia. In an interview with InterPressNews, Svetlana Nioradze of the Hydrometeorological Forecast Center at the National Environmental Agency of Georgia, said that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms can be expected throughout Georgia, including Tbilisi, especially at night. The Eastern mountainous regions of the country will likely experience hail storms.

A category 5 hit the Black Sea coast over the weekend, and although it has now weakened to a category 4, it still poses a significant threat to swimmers in the rough waters. The Emergency Management Service of Georgia released a statement on Saturday saying "A state of emergency has been declared, the height of waves is reaching four meters. Swimming in the Black Sea is prohibited.”

Red flags and no swimming signs have been erected along Black Sea beaches. When swimming is again permitted, they will be replaced with white flags.

The Emergency Management Service implores citizens to obey its warnings to protect their own safety and the safety of emergency personnel.

On Sunday afternoon, rescuers saved several people from drowning, including a 14-year-old girl in Kobuleti, a 10-year-old boy in Ureki, two US citizens in Gonio, and a 20-year-old Moldovan man in Batumi, whose rescue involved specialized equipment and coast guard boats. In posts on their Facebook page, the Emergency Management Service reminded people that swimming is prohibited.

By Samantha Guthrie

Photo: Emergency Management Service of Georgia, Facebook