Chandigarh-Shimla highway traffic grinds to a halt for 8 hours due to landslide
Chandigarh-Shimla highway traffic grinds to a halt for 8 hours due to landslide
On Friday, a significant traffic disruption occurred on the Chandigarh-Shimla Highway, also known as the Kalka-Shimla highway (NH-05), due to a landslide near Chakki Morh in Parwanoo. The landslide caused a prolonged delay in traffic flow, lasting approximately eight hours.
This incident impacted the movement of vehicles along this important highway route connecting Chandigarh and Shimla. Local authorities and concerned agencies likely worked to clear the debris and restore traffic movement as quickly as possible. Such incidents emphasize the vulnerability of hilly roads to natural events like landslides, leading to transportation interruptions and highlighting the importance of ongoing infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness measures.
According to an official statement, heavy rainfall caused a landslide on the Shimla National Highway 5 (NH-05) between Thambu Mod and Chakki Morh at around 2:35 am to 2:40 am. This led to the closure of the highway due to the debris from the hillside that blocked the road.
The landslide resulted in the disruption of traffic flow and created a significant challenge for authorities to clear the road and ensure the safety of commuters. Such incidents underscore the impact of adverse weather conditions on road infrastructure in hilly areas and the need for timely response measures to mitigate disruptions and ensure the safety of travelers.
The traffic on the Chandigarh-Shimla Highway was able to resume around 11:30 AM after the authorities successfully cleared the debris caused by the landslide. This incident was the seventh landslide occurrence during the current monsoon season and happened just two days after the route had been reopened for traffic.
The Chandigarh-Shimla Highway, also known as National Highway 5, holds significant importance as it facilitates the transportation of essential goods and is a primary route for tourists heading to Shimla.
The closure of this highway has widespread implications, affecting residents, tourists, and businesses that rely on the smooth flow of traffic along this route. Such disruptions highlight the challenges posed by weather-related incidents in hilly regions and the importance of maintaining and improving infrastructure to minimize such impacts on connectivity and economic activities.
The recent rainfall has led to the closure of around 242 roads, including two national highways, in Himachal Pradesh, according to the state’s emergency operation center.
National Highway 21 has been closed due to a landslide, adding to the challenges posed by the monsoon weather conditions. Meanwhile, National Highway 5 has also been temporarily shut down, although authorities expect it to be restored within 1 to 2 hours. Alternate routes have been made available for travelers during this period of closure.
These closures and disruptions on major highways emphasize the impact of heavy rainfall and landslides on the state’s road infrastructure, affecting both local residents and tourists. The authorities’ efforts to quickly clear and reopen these roads are crucial to ensuring the safety and mobility of people in the region.
According to the latest weather alert issued by the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, several regions in Himachal Pradesh are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder over the next three hours. The alert covers districts including Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Chamba, and Una.
The specific areas within these districts that are expected to be affected include Chamba (Bhalai, Dalhousie, Bhattiyat Sinhuta, and Chamba), Kangra (Jawali, Shahpur, Nurpur, Harchakkiyan, Dehra Gopipur, Kangra, Baroh Jaswan, and Rakkar), Hamirpur (Nadaun, Sujanpur Tira), Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, Bilaspur, and Una (Amb and Bharwain), Mandi, and Kullu.
The forecast suggests that these areas may experience light to moderate rainfall along with thunder, with the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall in certain districts. Specifically, the districts of Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Mandi are anticipated to have isolated instances of heavy rainfall.
This weather alert underlines the potential for varying levels of precipitation in the identified regions, which could have implications for local communities, transportation, and general activities. As weather patterns can quickly change during the monsoon season, residents and travelers in these areas are advised to stay updated with the latest weather information and exercise caution during rainy conditions.
The incident took place between Thambu Mod and Chakki Morh on NH-05, a crucial route that connects Chandigarh to Shimla. The landslide occurred around 2:35 am to 2:40 am, triggered by heavy rains in the region. As a result of the landslide, the authorities had to close the highway to ensure the safety of commuters and to facilitate the clearance of debris from the road.
This particular landslide marks the seventh such occurrence during the ongoing monsoon season. It comes just two days after the highway was reopened for traffic, following a previous landslide incident. The closure of NH-05 has significant implications for residents, tourists, and businesses, as it is a vital route for the transportation of essential goods and also serves as the primary pathway for tourists heading to Shimla.
Authorities managed to clear the debris and restore traffic flow by around 11:30 AM, easing the inconvenience faced by travelers and local residents. However, the recurrent landslides highlight the challenges posed by heavy monsoon rains in the region and the need for effective preventive measures to ensure safe and uninterrupted transportation on this critical highway.
