Statement of the National Environment Agency regarding the natural disaster in Tsageri
Geology
According to specialists of the National Environment Agency under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the landslide process that developed on the Lailashi-Ghu road has nothing to do with the planned construction of the Lower Namakhvani Hydro Power Plant (HPP) in the Rioni River Valley and nor any possible impact on the infrastructure of the Lower Namakhvani HPP becomes apparent in the future.
It should be noted that the landslide process developed on the left slope of the Lajanuri River valley (right tributary of the Rioni river). By direct route, its distribution area is about 15 kilometers far from the end of the Lower Namakhvani HPP projected reservoir and about 24 kilometers far from the dam. In addition, the Lailashi landslide body and the surrounding area is morphologically separated by the Labechina ridge from the area of the Rioni River valley where the construction of the Lower Namakhvani HPP is planned. These two zones differ significantly from each other in both geological and morphological conditions. Therefore, the interaction of the Lower Namakhvani HPP reservoir and landslide processes developed on the slopes of the Lajanuri River valley is practically excluded.
As it is known, the landslide processes developed on the Lailashi-Ghu connecting road in Tsageri municipality on March 24, 2021. Deteriorating meteorological conditions and prolonged rains had led to the activation of an old large-scale landslide body in the area. The collapsed landslide damaged the highway and cut off 10 families from the outside world.
The geologists of the National Environment Agency operatively carried out the initial studies and developed the relevant recommendations.
