Due to the avalanche hazard caused by abundant participation in Georgia within the recent days, traffic has been restricted at Gudauri-Kobi section of Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi international road for several days.  Traffic restrictions resulted in stoppage of dozens of light vehicles and trucks and accordingly delayed food-staff supply required for the country at Larsi checkpoint.

From the morning of 19^th of March, it became possible to clean only 6 km long section (km93-km99) of Gudauri-Kobi road, while avalanche hazard still remains at another section (km99-km106).

In light of this, joint meeting was held at the office of National Environmental Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia with participation of Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, National Environmental Agency, Mountain Resort Development Company of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia  and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. In order to resume traffic at Mleta-Gudauri road section in the shortest possible time, it was decided to trigger artificially the avalanche by air blast and only after that clean the road.

Today, on March 20, upon the recommendations and under supervision of National Environmental Agency, specialists of the Company “Mountain Resorts Solutions” and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia carried out artificial release of snow gathered on the slopes of Kobi gorge by air blasting from the helicopter.

Roads Department of Georgia commenced intensive snow-cleaning works at Mtskheta-Stepanstminda-Larsi international road by utilization of machinery mobilized on site in order to open the road for traffic in the shortest possible time and ensure delivery of goods in Georgia, which were mobilized at Larsi checkpoint. 

Avalanche artificial triggering method by air blast was used in Georgia for the first time, which was executed by Mountain Resorts Solutions free of charge.