Georgia-Russia border crossing staff evacuated due to flooding

The employees of the Darial border crossing on the border between Georgia and Russia were evacuated due to the rising water level in the Devdaraki valley glacier, TASS reports.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, at 8:36 a.m. local time, the water level changed in the Devdaraki valley glacier, which is located on the slope of Mount Kazbek. The Amali River starts at the glacier and joins the Terek. It runs near the Darial crossing on the Georgian side and Upper Lars on the Russian side.

Employees of the Darial Crossing, as well as officers of patrol and border police, customs service, and employees of private companies were evacuated to a safe place.

The helicopter of the Border Police of Georgia arrived at the scene along with the employees of the National Environmental Agency and geologists. It is reported that vehicular traffic has been held up in both directions near the village of Gveleti, which is located 3 kilometers south of the border crossing.