storm Batumi 2013-03-18

The yacht club in Batumi is closed because of a storm. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A storm hit Georgia Sunday evening and is threatening to inflict damage. Rescue personnel are mobilized in several regions of the country.

According to local media, the wind has a speed of 20 meters per second on the Black Sea coast in the Adjara region, in southwestern Georgia. All sea transport has stopped at Batumi yacht club.

Despite the strong wind, there has so far been no material damage on the coast, but there were two incidents in the capital Tbilisi: a tree fell down in the Varketili district and damaged a residential building, but no-one was hurt. The storm also pulled the roof off a house where refugees are living in the Vaziani district.

Weather forecasters say the storm will last at least three days, with rain and wind between 20 and 25 and possibly up to 30 meters per second. Forecasters also expect frost in several regions of the country.

The weather is expected to improve from March 19.