A severe rainfall which caused heavy flooding in Tbilisi, Georgia on Sunday left at least 12 people and several animals dead. Three people were reportedly found dead inside the zoo, while dozens were left homeless because of the Tbilisi flood. 

Inside submerged homes, rescue workers remain hopeful while searching for possible trapped residents and survivors.

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On Monday, authorities announced a day of mourning.

Apart from homes, the city's Tbilisi Zoo was severely damaged by the flood. It left animal enclosures destroyed and many animals killed and set loose on the streets.

The animals were killed after floodwaters reportedly rose to the enclosures' rooftops and drowned the helpless creatures. Others were swept away by the current and were able to escape.

Spokeswoman Mzia Sharashidze of the Tbilisi Zoo told InterPressNews agency that the flooding turned the zoo's grounds into "a hellish whirlpool."

Those that have escaped include lions, bears, tigers, wolves, and at least one hippopotamus. While some have quickly been recaptured, others remain unaccounted for, according to The Atlantic.

The search and rescue operation continues. Currently, helicopters are circling the city for survivors and escaped animals, but residents fear for their safety as night fell following the rains.

"The daytime wasn't bad, but tonight everyone has to be very careful because all the beasts haven't been captured," a resident named Khariton Gabashvili said. "They haven't been fed, and in their hungry state they might attack people."

Officials have issued a warning telling people to remain indoors to prevent encountering escaped zoo animals.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told residents to stay indoors until the search is over and all animals have been accounted for.

In one of the city centers, a hippopotamus was found and cornered. The distressed animal was eventually subdued using a tranquilizer gun.

In addition, in one of the city's buildings, a bear was clinging for life on to an air-conditioner. A hyena was also discovered in a resident's balcony.

Reports said the other animals were hunted and killed.

Tbilisi Zoo Spokeswoman Sharashidze said that the animals shot dead include lions, wolves, jackals, tigers, and jaguars. Carcasses of animals found following the Tbilisi flood include that of a tiger's, a lion's, and a boar's. Zoo authorities also said that six wolves were seen dead, reported The Associated Press.

There were no reports of any of the animals being the reason for the dead people.

The Tbilisi flood started when heavy rains burst the banks of River Vere, according to the BBC.

While some people were airlifted to safety, thousands remained without water and electricity.

The situation was described by Mayor Davit Narmania as "very grave."

Roads, houses, cars, and even coffins from a city cemetery were either destroyed or swept away.

President Giorgi Margvelashvili extended his condolences to the families and friends of the deceased during a visit to the area.

Vice-mayor Irakly Lekvinadze estimated preliminary damages to be around $10 million as of press time.

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