A huge turn-of-the-century water main ruptured just south of Times Square shortly before dawn yesterday.

Mr. Allen and other experts said the water main could have ruptured because the ground underneath the pipe was too soft or had begun to erode.

When the same water main ruptured in January 1996, about 60 feet down the block, it produced results similar to those of the recent leak, though less severe.

Some tried local streets, as did drivers approaching the neighborhood where the water main ruptured.

The water main ruptured in the middle of the intersection about 8:40 P.M., creating a gigantic crater roughly 40 feet long and 30 feet wide.

On Friday, a 67-year-old water main ruptured at 58th Street and Park Avenue, shutting off water service for a day.

The powerful waters ruptured central heating oil tanks, and the oil mixed with the water and mud, causing greater damage.

In the evening of the first day, a water main ruptured causing significant flooding in the streets above.

The first problem began at 10 A.M. when a six-inch underground water main ruptured.

The water in his body boils, rupturing cell membranes.