New Delhi: A landslide occurred on Monday morning in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, leading to the halt of traffic movement on the Shimla-Kalka national highway (NH5) near Shamlech village, officials said .No casualties were reported from the incident, which occurred around 7:30 am near the Solan bypass.


Stranded vehicles lined both sides of the road, prompting local police to advise motorists to turn back and utilize the Old Barog route as an alternative, PTI quoted officials as saying. Following the landslide, the administration deployed excavators to clear the road for vehicular traffic, the officials added.


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A total of 259 roads, including five national highways, closed for traffic due to recent snowfall and rainfall. The highest number of road closures, totaling 237, were reported in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by nine in Kinnaur, five in Chamba, four in Kullu, two in Mandi, and one each in Shimla and Kangra districts, as reported by the state emergency operation centre.


Rain Lash Himachal, MeT Predicts Fresh Western Disturbance


Snowfall and rainfall in Himachal Pradesh have led to the closure of 259 roads, including five national highways, causing disruptions to vehicular traffic. The local Meteorological Office has issued warnings of further challenges ahead, with a new western disturbance expected to affect the western Himalayan region starting Monday. Additionally, another disturbance may affect the region from Wednesday night.


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The MeT office also predicted rain and snow at isolated places on higher reaches on Monday and Tuesday and wet spell in the state from Thursday. A total of 237 roads are blocked in Lahaul and Spiti, nine in Kinnaur, five in Chamba, four in Kullu, two in Mandi and one each in Shimla and Kangra districts, according to the state emergency operation centre, reported PTI.


In the higher reaches and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh, mild snowfall was reported, with Gondla and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district receiving traces of snowfall. In Kukumseri, temperatures plummeted overnight to minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, marking one of the coldest spots in the region. Conversely, Una experienced warmer temperatures during the day, reaching a high of 29.8 degrees Celsius