HARBIN, Nov. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Water supply to urban areas of Harbin, capital city of northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province, will be cut off at wee hours of Wednesday, local municipality said in the latest bulletin released Tuesday evening.

    The dip gate at Harbin section of the Songhua River will be closed by then, the bulletin said, for the fear that a chemical plant blast on Nov. 13 may have caused a leakage of poisonous substances into the river, which supplies water to the city.

    The blast occurred in a workshop of the No. 101 Chemical Plant of Jilin Petro chemical Company based in the city of Jilin in Jilin Province that borders Heilongjiang.

    The exact time for the resumption of water supply will be publicized later, according to the statement, which also asks for an understanding from local residents, and people from factories and other social units. Enditem