Twelve southern towns were left without water after a main pipe burst in Sta Luċija yesterday morning.

The Water Services Corporation said the supply was disrupted in Paola, Żabbar, Tarxien, Senglea, Vittoriosa, Cospicua, Sta Luċija, Fgura, Bulebel, Marsascala, Kalkara and Xgħajra.

Although emergency repair works were under way, a spokesman said, while it was possible the supply would have been restored in some localities by last night it could take until this morning for the situation to return to normal.

This, he said, was also because the main would have to be tested under pressure and then washed out when repaired.