(CNN) -- New Zealand's Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region continued to grapple Monday with the effects of a powerful earthquake that left buildings in ruins and people scrambling for shelter two days earlier.
The government has tallied nearly 5,000 claims for damaged properties, while area residents are being asked to boil water and schools are closed for at least two days, authorities said Monday.
The New Zealand Earthquake Commission has received 4,857 claims for damage to residential properties, the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management said, and is "expecting a significant increase in claims over the next couple of days".
Residents of Christchurch and surrounding areas have been told to boil water because sewage lines may be broken or leaking underground, allowing contaminated water to enter the drinking system.
"Health concerns have shifted to public health issues related to water supply," the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management said in a statement Monday.
Christchurch's main business district was put under a 12-hour curfew overnight curfew with police cordoning off the area to deter looters.
CNN
