A landslide struck the Shimla-Mataur National Highway-205 near Namhol in Bilaspur district on Wednesday, completely blocking traffic and causing long queues of stranded vehicles on both sides. According to officials, no loss of life was reported in the incident.
Massive debris blocks highway
The landslide occurred near Namhol, depositing a substantial amount of debris on the road and halting vehicular movement. Police, along with officials from the Public Works Department and the district administration, promptly arrived at the scene to assess the situation. Heavy machinery was deployed to clear the road.
Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Abhishek Dhiman stated, "We appeal to commuters to cooperate with traffic police personnel to ensure safe and smooth movement of vehicles. Please follow traffic rules, avoid unnecessary overtaking, and give priority to emergency vehicles."
Alternative routes arranged for commuters
To ease inconvenience, the police diverted traffic onto alternative routes. Vehicles traveling from Shimla to Bilaspur and Hamirpur, and vice versa, were rerouted via the Brahmpukhar-Jukhala-Jabbal Bridge-Kotla-Kharsi-Dailamod road. Meanwhile, those heading from Shimla to Mandi were directed toward the Shimla-Dailamod-Navgaon-Kharsi-Kotla-Beri-Mandi road.
Heavy rainfall causes 36 road closures across state
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, a total of 36 roads were blocked across Himachal Pradesh following heavy rainfall. The district-wise breakdown includes 18 roads in Kullu, 11 in Mandi, and two each in Una, Sirmaur, and Lahaul and Spiti districts. Additionally, 126 power transformers were damaged state-wide, with Kullu accounting for 86, Solan and Chamba 12 each, Mandi 11, Una 5, and Lahaul and Spiti 1.
