The impact of the SA gas pipeline rupture

THE GAS PIPELINE RUPTURE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

* Gas supplies cut to 5500 households and businesses in Port Pirie and 4000 in Whyalla for several days.

* Restaurants, hotels, cafes and other businesses in Whyalla and Port Pirie close doors or scale back operations.

* The Nyrstar smelting operations in Port Pirie ceases production. Workers given maintenance jobs.

* Bottled gas sent to the Whyalla and Port Pirie hospitals.

* Some nursing homes switch to bottled gas.

* Port Pirie council opens the town's swimming pool to allow people to use showers. Other showering facilities being investigated.

* Port Pirie council to stage a free community barbecue on Tuesday night to provide a hot meal to those without cooking facilities.

* Whyalla residents advised to ensure food is properly cooked. Urged to use microwaves, electric cookers or barbecues, or to eat foods that don't require heating.

* The economic impact on the two areas expected to run into millions of dollars.