The emergency management service of Georgia rescued about 90 people who were stranded on the road near the village of Roshka in the Dusheti municipality due to heavy snowfall. The agency said that about 30 vehicles were stuck on the road and could not move forward or backward. All the passengers were safe and no injuries were reported.
Snowstorm hits Roshka village, blocks traffic
The snowstorm started on Sunday night and continued until Monday morning, covering the road with thick layers of snow. The road connects the village of Roshka with the rest of the country and is frequently used by tourists and locals. The snowfall was unexpected and caught many drivers off guard, who did not have winter tires or chains on their vehicles.
Some of the stranded passengers were tourists who had visited the nearby Roshka lake, a popular destination for hiking and camping. The lake is located at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level and is surrounded by mountains. The lake is also known for its three-colored water, which changes color depending on the season and the weather.
The stranded passengers had to spend the night in their vehicles, without heating or food. Some of them tried to clear the snow from the road with shovels, but the snow was too deep and hard. Others tried to call for help, but the mobile network was weak and unreliable.
Rescuers arrive, evacuate passengers
The emergency management service of Georgia was informed about the situation on Monday morning and dispatched a team of rescuers to the scene. The team consisted of 15 rescuers, two snowplows, and two ambulances. The rescuers reached the stranded vehicles around noon and started to evacuate the passengers.
The rescuers used ropes and harnesses to pull the passengers out of their vehicles and carry them to the snowplows. The snowplows then transported the passengers to a nearby village, where they were provided with food, water, and blankets. The ambulances checked the passengers for any signs of hypothermia or frostbite, but none of them required medical attention.
The rescuers also helped to move the stranded vehicles to the side of the road, to clear the way for other vehicles. The road was reopened for traffic around 3 p.m., after the snowplows cleared the snow from the road. The rescuers advised the drivers to check the weather forecast and the road conditions before traveling in the winter, and to equip their vehicles with winter tires or chains.
Snowfall continues, affects other regions
The snowfall continued in the region on Monday, affecting other parts of the country as well. According to the National Environmental Agency, the snow depth reached 40 centimeters in some areas, and the temperature dropped below zero degrees Celsius. The agency issued a yellow warning for snow and ice for the eastern and northern regions of Georgia, and urged the public to be careful and avoid unnecessary travel.
The snowfall also caused power outages, water shortages, and school closures in some villages. The local authorities said that they were working to restore the services and to assist the residents. The snowfall is expected to ease by Tuesday, but the cold weather will remain for the rest of the week.
