Survivors of Artvin Flood Disaster Warned Other Residents by Throwing Stones
Disastrous Landslide Hits Neighborhood in Artvin’s Borçka District
A tragedy struck the district of Borçka in Artvin as heavy rains led to a landslide that caused extensive damage. Several buildings in Gündoğdu District were affected, with 4 of them suffering significant damage from the landslide. One 7-storey building was particularly at risk of being severely damaged.
Residents were seen using hoses to clean their homes by washing away the mud that had entered their houses following the landslide. Two neighboring 7-house buildings were immediately evacuated after the incident, but the situation took a precarious turn when rainwater and mud filled the homes from the back.
Borçka’s municipality implemented emergency measures, with the Fire Brigade working towards draining the rainwater and mud by opening holes in the building’s exterior. A looming concern was the potential risks posed by the remaining part of the structure, as well as the fear associated with the rock pieces behind the damaged buildings that continued to slide.
Mayor Ercan Orhan expressed his concern over the excessive rainfall, stressing that the dangerous slope leading to the landslides needed urgent attention. Describing the affected area as waterlogged, he emphasized that the necessary steps needed to be taken to address the situation.
The mayor also pointed out that land surveys were crucial in determining the safety of the Gündoğdu District, especially since it was susceptible to slippery surfaces. He highlighted the potential need for the evacuation and expropriation of properties, emphasizing the need for a systematic and comprehensive solution.
The affected residents shared their chilling experience, with one individual recalling the sounds of landslides necessitating the evacuation of homes. Citizens living in the risky buildings were awakened by others throwing stones at their windows to alert them of the potential danger.
As a precaution, tenants living in one of the evacuated buildings had to be removed from the property. Members of the community witnessed the severity of the situation, recognizing that immediate action and reinforcement measures were essential.
Officials in the region faced mounting pressure as severe weather conditions persist, raising concerns about the broader impact on vulnerable neighborhoods. Immediate assessment and response efforts were underway to address the current stability and safety of the affected area.
