A burst water pipe cannot be fixed immediately because it has damaged a gas main, according to Thames Water.

The company has said it cannot dig up the road to fix the water pipe until the gas main has been repaired.

Thames Water also apologised to those affected and will be handing out bottled water to residents in high-rise buildings in Craster Road and in Brixton Hill, due to low water pressure.

Residents in all affected areas - including Croydon, Wimbledon, Tulse Hill, Putney, Tooting, Raynes Park, Merton and Sydenham - should have their water supply restored because the company has redirected water to those areas through a separate main.

Brixton Hill residents may still experience problems, as Thames Water said they will need to bring water to SW2 from a different area.

South London commuters are still facing long delays this morning due to the burst water main.

Flooding on the A23 at Brixton Hill and Streatham Hill has closed the road in both directions between the A205 Christchurch Road and A204 St Matthew's Road.

A diversion is in operation affecting bus routes 45, 59, 109, 118, 133, 159, 250 and 333.

There is also congestion on the A215 Norwood Road to Tulse Hill Gyratory.

One resident said the flooding was like "a river".

She said: "It is like a flood, the whole of Brixton Hill from the prison down has been turned in to a river.

"The water main has burst outside Tudor Close flats and is bubbling ferociously down the hill.

"Police and water company workers seem to have cordoned off most of the road, from the top of the hill, but some cyclists are still chancing it.

"Most people seem quite shocked and amazed at the same time at al this water causing havoc."

A Thamed Water spokeswoman said: “We are sorry to all customers who have experienced no water or reduced water pressure this morning in SW, SE and CR postcode areas. This is the result of a major burst water main on Brixton Hill, Lambeth.

“We have redirected water to affected customers. Unfortunately some areas are experiencing low water pressure, however this will build up gradually throughout the day.

“The burst resulted in damage to a gas main. As a result, we cannot dig up the road to start our repairs until repairs to the gas main have been completed.

“We are working with Transport for London to manage traffic disruption and a diversion is in place.”