At least four people have died in a flood in Georgia's capital after torrential rain caused the local river to burst its banks, emergency services have said, accoridng to Belfast Telegraph.

The Agency for Emergency Situations said a mother, her two children and an elderly woman died in Tbilisi's Ortachala area after the Kura river burst Saturday May 12 night. Officials did not describe the circumstances of their deaths.

According to witnesses, the water in some areas rose to three metres and even lifted parked cars.

Officials said the flood had destroyed several houses.

Georgian military are assisting the rescue effort by helping to clear debris and evacuate people from flooded areas.