Torrential rain “came just in time” to save parts of Scotland from drought, the environment watchdog has revealed. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said recent rainfall had provided temporary relief to rivers - but warned of another dry period ahead.
Exceptionally hot and dry conditions through May and June sparked water scarcity alerts across the country including at famous water bodies like Loch Ness.
But despite downpours in July, SEPA warned it still may not be enough to help the worst-hit rivers recover after some reported worryingly low water levels last month. It comes as Scotland is expected to bake in a second summer heatwave starting later in July.
SEPA’s head of water Nathan Critchlow-Watton said: “We’re seeing some respite this week in areas of Scotland. Water levels had depleted to a critical point, so the rain came just in time. However, water scarcity is by no means over, and much of Scotland is still facing challenging conditions.
“The Met Office forecast is for a dry period of weather at the end of the month. We know water levels in some areas of Scotland are unlikely to have recovered to a strong enough point to withstand that.”
SEPA’s latest water scarcity forecast reveals the Rivers Annan and Nith in Dumfries and Galloway, Loch Maree in the Highlands and the Outer Hebrides have moved from “significant” down to “moderate scarcity”.
The majority of Argyll and Bute has also returned to normal conditions.
However, there has not been enough rainfall in other parts of the country, with the Black Isle remaining at “significant” alert for a second week and the Forth area rising to “moderate”.
Farmers on the Black Isle taking water from the environment have been required to temporarily reduce volumes.
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