WINCHESTER, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A water main break on Route 10 (Keene Road) near Chapel Street Wednesday morning has forced a partial road closure and prompted reports of water outages in the area.

According to a traffic alert issued at 7:45 a.m., Winchester’s Department of Public Works was on site responding to the incident. By 8:15 a.m., traffic was being managed with one lane alternating, but the road had since been reported closed in both directions near the break.

The Winchester Police Department advised the public to avoid the area and stated they will post updates once more information is available about the extent of the water outage. Residents began reporting loss of water service in comments on the department’s Facebook page shortly before 9 a.m.

UPDATE: As of 1:30 p.m., the water main break was still being repaired and is expected to take the rest of the afternoon. Public Works advised the road is closed and there is a detour using Mechanic Street. More updates will be provided as received. Until then, Winchester police ask people to please avoid the area.