One building of TSU hydrometallurgy study-scientific laboratory is completely demolished, and another is damaged; the apparatus, tools and text books are destroyed. Except for scientific research, intensive process of studying proceeded in the laboratory. During just the spring semester more than 500 bachelor’s, master’s and PhD students of the faculty of TSU Exact and Natural Sciences attended lecture courses and practical courses in the laboratory.

The study-scientific laboratory had functioned since 1962. It was situated in the Vere River Valley, covering an area of 0.6 hectares. The main reason for founding the laboratory was the catastrophic overflow of the Vere River which flooded the zoo and nearby houses. It was essential to study and continually monitor the hydrological regime of the Vere River, and organize this process on a scientific level.

Since the day it was founded, the laboratory was involved in the process of studying at the faculty. Here hundreds of students were provided with intensive lectures and practical workshops. In summer, the field practice was attended not only by TSU students but also students from other universities (Technical, Agricultural and Sokhumi Universities). Apart from this, trainings held at the laboratory were attended by high school geography teachers.

On the territory of the laboratory there were two blocks with auditoriums and workshops, as well as a library, two meteorological departments, a hanging observational hydrometrical bridge, and a hygrograph to record the river level. In the laboratory they studied the hydrological regime of the Vere River and conducted observations. In particular, they observed the river level, temperature and determined water consumption. It should be remarked that the data obtained at the laboratory were used by the National Environment Agency of Georgia. The street where the laboratory was situated is named after the academician Givi Svanidze, one of the founders of the laboratory.

The aforementioned laboratory with its functional purpose was very important to TSU. The data obtained hold significant relevance to assessment of the contemporary ecological state of Tbilisi surroundings, especially because it was one of the very few remaining stations in Georgia.

This laboratory was rated highly by foreign experts and it was decided to be used as a basic learning centre in the international postgraduate program ‘Integrated Water Resources Management’. The laboratory is essential for the country. In the short term, specialists will publish specific recommendations about what to do in order to prevent such a catastrophe in the future.