A whirlwind struck Alaverdi village in the Akhmeta municipality of Kakheti. The natural disaster knocked the cross off the dome of the Alaverdi Cathedral and damaged the roof of both the cathedral and the monastery. Several people were injured and received treatment at the Telavi hospital.
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Locals reported that the whirlwind originated in the area where the vineyards of the Alaverdi Diocese are planted and passed near the temple.
"This lasted about 2-3 minutes. A snowstorm overturned a car on the road, injuring several locals. The emergency brigade was called, and their lives are not in danger," Davit Mezvrishvili, the representative of the Akhmeta Mayor, told "Georgian Ambes."
Levan Kalmakhelidze's photo
Tourists also witnessed the whirlwind. One of them, Paul Rimple, wrote on social media that the priest did not let his accompanying guest in the church for protection because of the dress code. "But the entryway saved us," Rimple wrote.
Locals say they have never seen a whirlwind in Alaverdi before.
Akhmeta City Hall announced that in case of rain, there is no danger of water entering the temple from the damaged roof. Alaverdi Cathedral is a monument of cultural heritage of national importance.
