The only access road to the Eastern province of Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi has been washed away, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on either side.

The Great East Road is a major road in Zambia and the main route linking its Eastern Province with the rest of the country.

It is also the major link between Zambia and Malawi and between Zambia and northern Mozambique. 

In Lusaka, the road forms the main arterial route for the eastern suburbs. 

The entire route from Lusaka to Chipata and the borders with Malawi and Mozambique is designated the same road.

However, torrential rain on Thursday washed away about five kilometres of the road embankment after an armour steel culvert fell, rendering the stretch impassable to both motorists and pedestrians.

The affected area is about 87 kilometres from the capital, Lusaka.

The Zambia National Service, a branch of the Zambia Defence Force's department of infrastructure, is on the ground to construct an emergency bridge.

The road is expected to be accessible soon.