Scotland Faces Extended Flood Threat as Heavy Rain Continues
The north-east of Scotland remains on high alert for further flooding and significant travel disruption as a yellow weather warning for rain issued by the Met Office is set to persist throughout the weekend. This alert, covering the Grampian, Angus, and Perth regions, came into effect at midnight and will remain active until 9am on Sunday, prolonging the hazardous conditions.
Active Flood Warnings and Alerts in Place
As of Saturday morning, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has maintained a vigilant stance with 11 flood warnings and four flood alerts currently active across the affected areas. Residents are being strongly advised to check whether their properties are at risk of flooding and to implement all necessary precautions to safeguard their homes and families.
Met Office Forecasts Additional Rainfall
A spokesperson from the Met Office provided a detailed outlook, stating: “Following a three-day spell of very wet weather across this region, with some places having seen in excess of 100mm, a further day of fairly persistent and at times heavy rain is expected, before easing during Saturday night.” The forecast indicates that many locations are likely to receive an additional 20-30mm of rainfall, with isolated spots potentially seeing up to 50mm. Notably, at elevations above 400-500 metres, much of this precipitation is expected to fall as snow, with rain confined to lower ground levels.
Travel Disruptions and Rescue Operations
The adverse weather has already led to considerable travel chaos. ScotRail has confirmed that speed restrictions will be enforced on the line between Aberdeen and Inverness, resulting in slower journey times for passengers. Additionally, the line towards Dundee was obstructed by a fallen tree, further compounding the disruptions.
Earlier in the week, the heavy rain caused significant flooding on many roads across Scotland. In Aberdeenshire, emergency services were called into action, with firefighters rescuing three individuals from stranded vehicles. Two people were saved from a minibus on the B977 near Kintore at approximately 8.30am on Thursday, while another person was brought to safety from a car in a separate incident near Banchory around the same time.
Government Response and Public Advice
In response to the escalating situation, the Scottish Government Resilience Room convened on Thursday to assess the weather conditions and coordinate response efforts. Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who chaired the meeting, emphasised the importance of public vigilance, urging: “I would urge people to pay attention to flood alerts, weather forecasts, and to consider travel updates in their area.”
Weather Warnings Extend Beyond Scotland
Meanwhile, south of the border, a separate yellow warning for rain and wind remains in force for south-west England and southern Wales until 10pm on Saturday. Although heavy rain and strong winds across these regions are anticipated to ease by Saturday morning, the alert underscores the widespread impact of the unsettled weather patterns affecting the UK.
As communities brace for the continued deluge, authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with the priority firmly on public safety and minimising the disruption caused by this persistent wet weather.
