Met Office warns residents to get ready for more rain

HEAVY bursts of rain are expected to return to much of the Lothians this evening after a brief period of respite overnight - though the weekend picture looks brighter.

The Met Office said some heavier rain is due to return tonight after a brief period of dry weather or lighter showers last night which should have allowed rivers in the Lothians to return to normal levels. Warnings around the Water of Leith and the River Esk were issued yesterday, and people have been asked to take care around the city's swollen waterways.

The Scottish Government yesterday faced calls for an inquiry after heavy rain forced the cancellation and delays to train services.

Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack wrote to Transport Secretary Keith Brown demanding an explanation for the disruption.

A spokeswoman for ScotRail said services today were back to normal and flooding issues had been resolved.

Looking ahead, forecaster Graeme Whipps: "It doesn't look as bad as we've seen but we will see some light rain this morning and into the afternoon.

"We're looking at five to ten millimeters, which is not very much compared to the last few days. That light rain is likely to turn into moderate or heavy bursts this evening."

Mr Whipps added that the forecast for the weekend is likely to improve with temperatures of up to 19C expected.

He said: "Overnight Friday into Saturday, that rain will clear and on Saturday morning it will be dry again. On Sunday it could be a dry day, or just a few light showers."

There were pockets of significant disruption throughout the Lothians yesterday.

Lakes of water on the road leading to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena in Ratho caused it to close yesterday afternoon, while some Lothian Buses were diverted, including the 49 which could not make it through flooding at Sheriffhall roundabout.

Sandbags have been placed along the Water of Leith in Stockbridge as water levels rise.

All golf courses run by Edinburgh Leisure were closed yesterday although it said it intended to reopen them today.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued flood warnings for the River Esk at Musselburgh and advised people to check its website for updates.

There was also significant disruption on the A7 between Midlothian and Edinburgh during rush hours yesterday as heavy flooding left parts of the carriageway submerged. The road was closed overnight.

In some parts of Scotland more rain has fallen in the last two days than is normally seen in the average month of August.

City Transport Leader Councillor Gordon Mackenzie said: "Our flood teams have been monitoring reservoir and river levels over the past 24 hours.Whilst flow rates are high, the risk of flooding from rivers and streams is currently low.

"Although water levels appear to be dropping I would ask people to remain vigilant around the city's rivers which are very full and are flowing fast."