The landslide and several areas of flooding between Invergloy and Letter Finlay forced the closure of a 15-mile (24km) stretch of the road.
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A number of rivers in Cumbria have recorded their highest ever levels as Storm Desmond hits the UK.
“For the rest of Saturday and the early hours of Sunday further rainfall totals in excess of 150mm are expected locally over some prone mountainous areas in Cumbria while parts of the Borders can locally expect in excess of 60mm rain”.
Roads have been closed throughout the North and Scotland as Storm Desmond caused road chaos, landslides and flooding.
Forecasts predict that heavy rain will fall right through the night until 7am.
A 90-year-old man has died after apparently being blown into the side of a bus by a gust of wind as Storm Desmond hit the country.
In Shepherd’s Bush witnesses suggested the force of the wind could have been behind the collapse of a roof onto the pavement below.
There are now flood warnings in place and more are expected throughout today.
In a statement they said: “Motorists are advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary as it would pose a major risk to personal safety and the safety of other members of the public”.
95 homes are without power in Claregalway, and a further 46 are still without electricity in the Woodford area near Portumna.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has more than 70 flood warnings in place across the country, with severe warnings in place for Hawick and Newcastleton.
Startling photos have also emerged showing rescue workers in rubber dinghies speeding through town centres that have been swallowed up by flood water.
National Rail said trains between England and Scotland are not running north of Preston/Newcastle Saturday, and the trains that are running will be subject to a speed limit.
“In particular roads around Keswick and Kendal are blocked and we advise people not to travel in or out of those areas”.
Scottish Environment Minister Aileen McLeod said the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland were closely monitoring the situation.
Homes close to the River Esk in Langholm were also evacuated on Saturday night as water breached the bank, while flooding has also been reported in some areas of Annandale and Eskdale including Wamphray, Cummertrees and Hoddom.
The heaviest rain is expected on west facing hills and mountains from north Wales northwards and a Red “take action” warning for rain is now in force for parts of Cumbria.
Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said Scotland, northern England, Ireland and northwest Wales would “remain wet all day”.
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A spokesperson from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said: “NWAS has been operating under extremely challenging circumstances this evening with severe floods in Cumbria and Lancashire preventing access to many parts of the counties”.
