Location: Mukhran Machavariani Street, Tbilisi, Georgia
Event: On Thursday, August 26, 2021, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated that the landslide rehabilitation work on Mukhran Machavariani Street has been completed. Please note that the U.S. Embassy has not had the opportunity to review any technical documents associated with the repairs performed and therefore cannot make a determination as to the municipality’s effectiveness in mitigating the landslide risk. While Mukhran Machavariani Street is now open to the public in both directions, there is still ongoing road work. U.S. government personnel are advised to exercise caution when transiting through the area, allowing sufficient time to travel as heavy equipment is still in use and may cause congestion.
U.S. government personnel are urged to remain vigilant of potential landslide warning signs. Tbilisi has a history of landslides with the most recent serious incident occurring in June 2015, which resulted in multiple deaths and severe property destruction.
Landslide Warning Signs (U.S. Geological Service)
* Springs, seeps, or saturated ground in areas that have not typically been wet before.
* New cracks or unusual bulges in the ground, street pavements or sidewalks.
* Soil moving away from foundations.
* Ancillary structures such as decks and patios tilting and/or moving relative to the main house.
* Tilting or cracking of concrete floors and foundations.
* Broken water lines and other underground utilities.
* Leaning telephone poles, trees, retaining walls or fences.
* Offset fence lines.
* Sunken or down-dropped road beds.
* Rapid increase in creek water levels, possibly accompanied by increased turbidity (soil content).
* Sudden decrease in creek water levels though rain is still falling or just recently stopped.
* Sticking doors and windows, and visible open spaces indicating jambs and frames out of plumb.
* A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable as the landslide nears.
* Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together, might indicate moving debris.
What to do after a landslide
* Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides.
* Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they may both be started by the same event.
In addition to landslides, we would like to remind U.S. citizens that Georgia is a high-activity seismic zone and experiences frequent earthquakes. While many earthquakes go unnoticed, Tbilisi experienced a fatal 4.5 magnitude earthquake in April 2002 which resulted in multiple deaths and damage to over 12,000 buildings.
If you’re not home during an earthquake:
* Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
* If driving, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.
* Avoid stopping your vehicle near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
* Be on the lookout for road and bridge damage.
* If the earthquake is severe, do not attempt to cross bridges or overpasses as they may be damaged.
* If power lines have fallen on your vehicle, do not attempt to enter or exit your vehicle.
* If you are in a crowded public building, avoid rushing the doorways, move away from windows and display shelves, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON.
If you’re home during an earthquake:
* Move under a sturdy piece of furniture and/or nearest to an interior wall.
* Lay flat and cover your head and neck.
* Remember that the triangle of life is the corner where the wall and the floor meet as these areas of shelter provide the most immediate safety.
* If you are close to an exit, please get out and away from buildings.
Actions to Take:
* Monitor local media for updates
* Be aware of your surroundings
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia
(995)(32) 227-7724 (M-F 8:30-5:30)
(995)(32) 227-7000 (after hours)
AskConsulTbilisi@state.gov
https://ge.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
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