Zimbabwe authorities on Wednesday restored water to most parts of the capital Harare after a cut more than 48 hours ago amid a cholera outbreak that has killed more than 500, a minister said.

"As of last night, pumping capacity has been increased to 80 percent and the greater part of the central business district (in Harare) and most high density suburbs are receiving normal supplies," water resources deputy minister Walter Mzembi told AFP.

Taps in Harare ran dry on Saturday after the state-run water company, ZINWA, ran short of aluminium sulphate, a chemical used to purify water.

The water cuts compounded fears over the spread of cholera. The death toll from the outbreak has now risen to 565, with 12,546 cases of the acute intestinal disease reported nationwide, according to the United Nations on Wednesday.

The water shortage had resulted in people digging shallow wells, while some made brisk business in selling water.

An AFP correspondent reported that although water had been restored in Harare's central business district and other residential areas, some areas only receive water in the evenings.