13:00, 13 June 2009

Georgia: hurricane deroofs 55 houses and leaves over 10,000 families without electricity

In Western Georgia, a strong hurricane has torn roofs off 55 houses and broke power supply lines leaving more than 10,000 families without electricity.

The Khon District of the country suffered the most. According to Vakhtang Balavadze, head of the Khon District Administration, Imereti Region of Western Georgia, the hurricane deroofed multi-storey apartment houses, schools and office buildings, and rooted out many-years-old trees.

"The situation is aggravated by the fact that, according to weather forecasts, the nearest 24 hours will see weather worsening and rains with thunder-storms; therefore, we need to cope with restoration works as quick as possible," said Mr Balavadze.

The "Interfax" reports that technical services of the district and region were mobilized to eliminate the consequences of the calamity; and the "Gazeta.Ru" adds that under preliminary estimates the damage caused to the district exceeds 600,000 US dollars.