Flash floods and landslides leave more than 300 roads closed in Himachal Pradesh, India

Heavy rain caused flash floods and landslides in the Himachal Pradesh state of India, on Sunday, June 25.

301 roads remained closed due to the events, including the Chandigarh-Manali highway and its Kullu-Bajaura-Kataula-Mandi alternative route.

The Chandigarh-Manali highway was struck by landslides at 6 Mile and 7 Mile, near Pandoh, and heavy machinery was mobilized to remove the debris. However, according to Sagar Chander, Additional Superintendent of Police, another landslide occurred at 1.30 am on Monday.

News agency PTI reported that explosives had to be used on the boulders blocking the road, due to their large size.

The landslides caused major traffic disruption, with reports of an at least 11-kilometer traffic jam formed on the Chandigarh-Manali highway, involving about 5,000 vehicles.

Finally, the road reopened on the evening of Monday, June 26, while the State Disaster Management Authority reported nine casualties.