Agriculture Minister: State Cannot Help Disaster Affected Farmers

Georgia’s Minister of Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili, says that the recent unstable weather with heavy rain and hailstorms, has resulted in a huge loss that the State cannot compensate affected farmers for.

“The loss amounted to millions of Lari and the budget cannot afford to compensate the damage suffered by the farmers,” the minister said.

During the last several days, rain and hail has affected nearly all regions of Georgia.

The loss Imereti region experienced as a result of this natural disaster exceeded 600,000 GEL.

Imereti Vice-Governor, Soso Khakhaleishvili, says that the heavy rainfall caused serious problems throughout the region.

“We will provide assistance to all in need,” he said.

Heavy rain made the River Rioni in Tskaltubo Municipality, western Georgia, burst its banks. Eight houses and nearby vegetable gardens were flooded and infrastructure was damaged.

The regional administration of Imereti region reports they are working in emergency mode to deal with the issue.

It was also necessary to evacuate 13 people from a landslide zone in Borjomi on Sunday and strong wind uprooted hundred-year old trees in nearby Bakuriani.

Heavy rain also hit the Kvemo Kartli region. Tetritskaro Municipality was the most affected, with rain and hail damaging roads, vegetable gardens and orchards.

In the wine-making Kakheti region, hail totally destroyed vineyards in several areas, leaving farmers without a harvest.

The Governor of Lagodekhi claims that the anti-hail system was used and reduced the loss, though the damage is still widespread. 

The Gori Municipality, Shida Kartli region, witnessed a hailstorm lasting around 20 minutes, which damaged vegetable gardens and orchards in Jariasheni and Variani villages. 

The Georgian weather forecast center reports that unstable weather and rain will continue throughout the country until May 25.

By Thea Morrison