Flooding follows torrential rain

Streets in Giffnock were badly affected by flash flooding

Flooding has affected several areas in the west of Scotland after heavy rain fell across the area for a third day.

Some roads in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, were covered by 2ft of water while streets in Giffnock were also affected, with one home up to 12ft in water.

In Lanarkshire, roads were closed in the Bellshill area. The Galston roundabout in Newmilns, Ayrshire, also closed after a burn burst its banks.

There were also minor landslides on the B797 in Dumfries and Galloway.

A Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary spokesman said many roads in the Sanquhar and Upper Nithsdale area were affected by flooding and asked drivers to avoid the Sanquhar to Wanlockhead road and affected areas.

Crews from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue were said to be severely stretched in response to calls from worried residents.

Floodwater, up to two feet deep, covered a large area of Newmilns Main Street, in Ayrshire.

Several houses in the area were affected, but there were no reports of injuries or the need for rescues.

However, a spokeswoman for East Ayrshire Council said three primary schools had closed early due to the flooding in the Newmilns area.

A fire service spokesman said about eight homes in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, had been affected by flooding after a burn burst its banks.

Fire appliances were pumping water from the affected area on Eastwood Mains Road, which was closed.

The electricity and gas supply of some homes was also affected, leading to some residents having to stay with friends or relatives.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said the use of pumping equipment and the clearing of culverts appeared to be helping the floodwater recede.

In Fife, firefighters were attending to reports of flooding at Melville House, a historic 17th century building near the village of Letham.

The latest cases of flooding followed several other incidents across Scotland in the past few days.

On Wednesday, three people had to be rescued after floodwater engulfed their cars in North Lanarkshire.

Elsewhere, in Fife, several houses were left in up to 5ft of water while a road outside Victoria Park, Jordanhill, Glasgow, also became flooded.

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