In the capital Tbilisi, high winds caused a roof to blow off, damaging cars parked next to the building. (Photo: Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Snowfall and strong winds are making trouble for people all over Georgia. More than 72 000 were without electricity Thursday morning.

The biggest distributor, Energo-Pro, said they had brought down the number of customers without power from 64 000 to around 49 000 by early afternoon.

Motorists are heavily affected. Sections of some highways are closed in the east, according to a spokesman for the Regional Development and Infrastructure Ministry.

Because of risk of avalanches, the road has been blocked in parts of the high mountainous area Kazbegi, the only road currently connecting Georgia to its northern neighbor Russia.

The stretches of road between Stepantsminda-Lars and Gudauri-Kobi are closed, according to ministry spokesman Nugzar Gasviani, interviewed on Imedi TV.

The Gudauri-Kobi road has been closed several times during the last year. Gasviani says only vehicles using skid chains will be allowed through.

The bad weather has also created trouble in the vicinity of Tbilisi. According to Kakheti information center, the road Vaziani-Gombori-Telavi has been closed, and restrictions apply other places.