CHONGQING - Low temperatures and heavy snow have wreaked havoc on water supply to more than 570,000 residents in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, said local authorities.

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More than 755 kilometers of water pipes have frozen or been broken in 217 townships in 14 counties and districts in Chongqing, after a cold snap hit the region on December 31, the municipal water conservancy bureau said.

In worst-hit Qianjiang District, water supply to more than 12,000 rural households has been cut.

Weather forecasters predict low temperatures to continue to affect most parts of Chongqing until Thursday.