HP: Landslide blocks National Highway 5 near Solan

Shimla: The National Highway 5 was blocked near Shamlech village in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district following a landslide on Monday morning, officials said.

No casualty was reported in the incident that occurred at around 7.30 am on the Shimla-Kalka Road near Solan bypass, bringing traffic to a halt, they said.

Vehicles were seen stranded on both sides of the road as the local police asked the motorists to turn back and take the old Barog route.

Meanwhile, road opening work has started with excavators reaching the spot of the landslide, officials said, adding that the debris would be cleared soon.

A total of 259 roads, including five National Highways, were closed for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh following snow and rain in recent days.

A maximum of 237 roads were 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, the state emergency operation centre said.