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On the evening of June 13, a deadly flood tore into Tbilisi sweeping away houses and their inhabitants. At the time of writing, nineteen people are known to have died.

The destruction caused by the deadly flood in Tbilisi. Photo source: Tbilisi City Hall

It is believed that the flooding was caused by heavy rain and major landslides in two locations near Tskneti and Betania, not far from Tbilisi. The landslide caused the Vera River to dam and later burst, causing a torrent of water to surge into the Vake and Saburtalo neighborhoods of Tbilisi.

The swollen Vere River swept away houses and flooded the surrounding area. Photo by Маша Рябкова

Tbilisi Zoo was almost completely destroyed by the floodwater. Hundreds of creatures drowned, while many dangerous predators escaped. A man was killed by a tiger at Laguna Vere in Tbilisi on 17 June, just a few hundred meters from the zoo. A hippopotamus was re-captured in Heroes Square in the center of Tbilisi and returned to the zoo.

A hippopotamus in Heroes Square in the center of Tbilisi. Photo source Tbilisi City Hall

Hundreds of volunteers – male and female, young and old – worked with the emergency services in Tbilisi to help clean up the aftermath of the deadly flood.

Volunteers helping to clean up Tbilisi. Photo by Маша Рябкова

Volunteers helping to clean up in Tbilisi after the flood. Photo source: Tbilisi City Hall

Volunteers helping to clean up Tbilisi. Photo by Маша Рябкова

The Georgia Red Cross providing disaster relief in Tbilisi in the aftermath of the flood. Photo source: Tbilisi City Hall

Volunteers helping to clean up in Tbilisi after the flood. Photo source: Tbilisi City Hall

Damage caused by the deadly flood is “quite substantial and may reach 100 million lari” (about USD 45 million), said PM Irakli Garibashvili.

Volunteers helping to clean up Tbilisi. Photo by Маша Рябкова

Up to EUR 3 million will be made available by the European Commission to help provide housing following the deadly flood in Tbilisi. “The European Union stands with the people of Georgia and is ready to help families in Tbilisi rebuild their houses and start a new life.” Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, said.

Up to EUR 3 million will be made available by the European Commission to help provide housing. Photo source: State Security and Crisis Management Council

The Prime Minister declared June 15 a day of mourning in Georgia.

The Prime Minister has declared June 15 a day of mourning in Georgia

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