World News for Students of English

18-06-2015 07:00

Georgian officials say the relief effort is underway after severe flooding killed several people and created widespread damage in the capital Tbilisi. The Georgian President said he offered his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

He said it is a great tragedy when you suddenly lose a family member. Tbilisi’s mayoral office will provide financial assistance to eliminate the consequences of the natural disaster.

“The situation is difficult, but it can be handled, except for the fact that we cannot bring back those who died.”

At least nine people have died.

Deadly zoo animals were also prowling the streets of the capital after flooding caused damage to their cages, allowing them to escape. Tigers, lions, bears, wolves and a hippopotamus were among the more than 30 animals that escaped from the zoo overnight.

It is unclear as of yet if some of the human fatalities have been caused by the wild animals.

Some of the escaped animals have been killed or tranquilised, but residents were advised to stay indoors until they could be captured.

Heavy rains turned the river that flows through Tbilisi into a torrent that swept away dozens of buildings and cars. Authorities said the damage could amount to millions of dollars.

Difficult words: deceased (dead), mayoral (relating to the mayor), prowl (to walk around), fatality (death), tranquilise (to shoot with a drug to make an animal sleep), resident (a person who resides/lives somewhere), torrent (a strong and fast-moving stream of water).

Source: www.ondemandnews.com