18 March 2024

Landslide Tragedy in Nergeeti Village

On February 3, 2024, a tragic event unfolded in the village of Nergeeti, Baghdati district, resulting in loss of life. Remarkably, Nergeeti had been identified as a landslide-prone area in the 2022 bulletin issued by the Geology Department of the National Environment Agency, which states: "The activation of landslide processes in Baghdati Municipality is expected in the following settlements: S.S. Dimi, I Obcha, II Obcha, Tselikhevi, Fersati, Nergeeti, Shuban and Zegan” (2022, p. 181). Despite this designation, the bulletin lacked specific recommendations or visual confirmation of the existing danger for Nergeeti. Furthermore, subsequent bulletins did not mention Nergeeti, raising questions about the implementation of recommended anti-landslide measures. The absence of concrete measures for Nergeeti, despite its inclusion in the list of at-risk villages, underscores the need for further investigation into why specific recommendations were not provided and whether adequate preventive actions were taken.

The National Environment Agency has reported on an ongoing geological event in the village of Nergeeti, Baghdati district. According to their findings, on February 7, 2024, a rock-slide type landslide occurred on the right slope of the Khanisskali valley in the territory of Baghdati municipality. This landslide occurred on a very steeply inclined surface (60-65 degrees) and affected heavily depleted tuffs and argillites. The consequences of this event were severe, resulting in the complete destruction of four residential houses and the blocking of the river. Additionally, the landslide impacted the central road passing through the right slope of Khanisskali. Tragically, this event led to casualties, with four people losing their lives. Search and rescue operations are currently underway for five individuals who remain missing.