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.

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 Dec. 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.