Severe snowfall paralyzes parts of western Georgia, residents demand urgent help

Heavy snowfall has caused widespread disruption in the Guria and Adjara regions of western Georgia, leaving many villages isolated and residents struggling without essential supplies. Local authorities say they are working around the clock to clear roads, restore electricity, and provide assistance, but public frustration is mounting.

According to the Ozurgeti Municipality Council, snow-clearing operations are underway in all administrative units. In Ozurgeti city and surrounding villages, authorities are clearing central roads, repairing damaged power lines, and deploying rescue teams to aid affected residents.

Senior government officials have visited the region to assess the situation. Nika Tkemaladze, Head of the Regional Relations Department of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, has arrived in Guria to discuss the ongoing crisis with municipal leaders. In Keda Municipality, intensive efforts are being made to clear roads leading to village centers. Eighteen units of heavy machinery from the Adjara Roads Department and two from Keda Communal Service have been deployed. Officials, including Keda Mayor Roland Beridze and Adjara Minister of Agriculture Zaza Shavadze, are overseeing the response efforts on-site.

The Emergency Situations Management Headquarters at the City Hall is operating 24 hours a day, and residents are urged to contact the hotline for assistance. Since February 20, severe snowfall has cut off entire villages, with blocked roads, collapsed buildings, and power outages worsening conditions. Train services to western Georgia have been restricted since February 23, and schools in Poti, Zugdidi, Guria, and Adjara have been suspended since Monday. Public transport in Batumi was also halted by the decision of the Batumi Auto Transport.

On social media, affected residents have expressed frustration with the government’s response. Many have left comments on local government Facebook pages, demanding faster snow removal and better access to vital supplies.

Despite the government’s claims of emergency operations, public dissatisfaction remains high. Calls for immediate mobilization of additional manpower and equipment are growing, with some suggesting that residents should be given fuel to clear roads themselves. Others have criticized the lack of preparedness, pointing out issues such as municipal transport stopping due to inadequate equipment.