About 240 vehicles have gathered at the Verkhny Lars crossing post today waiting for the opening of the Russian-Georgian border, 200 of them are trucks. "There are 255 people. Our psychologists are working with them. The head of the main directorate came there today, an operational group of the main directorate has started its work, the administration of the city of Vladikavkaz is providing hot meals and water for people. We are trying to inform the drivers to avoid this route," the press service of the State Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in North Ossetia said, speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza.
"There was not just mudflow, about 400 m of the roadway were damaged. Negotiations to send people to Novorossiysk on the ferry are being held. On the other hand, there are many trucks of the Armenian citizens and they have no other choice. Well, we are trying to help people to reach their destinations by alternative routes. We are cooperating with the Department of Emergency Situations of the ministry of internal affairs of Georgia. This department has assisted the Russian tourists who were on the territory of Georgia. It helicoptered people after a landslide blocked the road, and, according to our data, 46 people have already passed the border control. We are trying to help with whatever we can," the press service of the department noted.
When asked what alternatives exist for those who went to a tourist in their own cars, the representative of the Ossetian told rescuers that there is an option to pass through Azerbaijan. "For of cars is easier, because people go not to work, and about their business, and can turn around. But for heavy-mostly - Armenian is the problem: they are, by and large, an alternative way is not," a representative of the Ministry of Emergency Measures in North Ossetia concluded.
On 23 June, there was a powerful mudflow in Georgia's Daryal Gorge, which blocked almost half of a one kilometer section of the Georgian Military Road. The 134-135km section of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars was damaged by the Terek river.
The authorities had to completely evacuate all the people from the Georgian checkpoint 'Kazbegi'. In the next morning, helicopters of the Georgian Interior Ministry evacuated 70 people from the Daryalsky Monastery.
The Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Dmitry Kumsishvili, said that they may need about two weeks to restore the road traffic at the Daryal Gorge. "According to my information, we need about 10-14 days to restore the road traffic," he said, adding that it may take longer than expected.
The Georgian Military Road is the only available land route leading from Russia to Georgia and Armenia.
