A burst pipe sent water flooding across an Auckland street overnight, damaging the road, disrupting water supply, and forcing businesses to close.
Police said officers were called to Boundary Road in New Windsor at around 10.15pm yesterday following reports of road flooding and a possible car crash.
Kunal Chand, owner of nearby eatery Dundale's Fusion Fijian Cafe, told 1News staff were preparing to close for the night when they heard a loud noise outside.
"We came outside and saw a very big flood happening outside," Chand said.
He described the road as "bubbling upwards" before bursting open and sending water spilling across the street.
Staff alerted emergency services and attempted to stop motorists from driving through the damaged area.
He said the business couldn't open this morning after losing its water supply overnight.
"It's extremely frustrating," he said, adding that weekends were among the business's busiest trading periods, with Saturday and Sunday earnings typically covering staff wages.
"If you don't have water, there's no sense of getting around."
Cause of burst main unknown
Watercare water networks operations manager Rex Chou said crews located the burst pipe outside 50 Boundary Rd at around 11pm.
Crews excavated and isolated the damaged section by 2.10am, allowing water supply to be restored to some affected customers.
Chou said water had since been restored to all properties, although emergency road repairs were continuing.
"Our priority was restoring the water supply, and the cause of the burst is still being investigated," he said.
A stop/go system remained in place around the damaged section, allowing vehicles to continue using the road while repairs were carried out.
"We greatly appreciate everyone's patience while we do these emergency repairs."
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