On August 5, 2023, a massive landslide engulfed the popular resort of Shovi, claiming 33 lives. The resort is no more, and this tragedy has become one of the most painful chapters in Georgia’s modern history. In the aftermath, there was widespread debate over whether the disaster could have been prevented: experts had warned of the risks, and serious questions were raised regarding haphazard construction, warning systems, and the organization of the rescue operation. But Shovi is not an isolated tragedy. It is merely the most glaring symptom of a much larger problem. Today, the entire region of Racha is under threat of vanishing.
