Landslide warning issued as month's worth of rain expected to fall

Forecasters warned an amber alert could see landslides occur in parts of the Highlands and Argyll on Sunday.

Landslide warning as amber weather alert for heavy rain in Highlands and Argyll and Bute comes into force iStock

Forecasters have warned an amber alert for heavy rain in parts of Scotland could see landslides in some areas.

The weather warning, which came into effect from midnight on Sunday and will be in place until 6pm, could bring a month’s worth of rainfall to some areas.

However the alert will end earlier than previously expected, as forecasters predicted downpours could last for 24 hours.

A yellow weather warning which has been in place since Saturday will also end earlier than expected at 11.59pm.

The amber alert covers a concentrated area of the Highlands and Argyll and Bute, while the yellow warning covers a wider area which includes Perth and Kinross and Stirling.

The Met Office has warned downpours could trigger shallow landslides and debris flows, most likely across the south of the Highland region and Argyll.

SEPA has issued a flood warning in Strath Oykel, while flood alerts have been issued in Caithness and Sutherland, Argyll and Bute, Easter Ross and Great Glen, Skye and Lochaber, and Wester Ross.

CalMac announced several ferry services have been cancelled for a second day amid severe weather.

Meanwhile ScotRail announced speed restrictions have been put in place amid the weather warnings, with the West Highland, Highland, Far North and Kyle of Lochalsh routes affected.

The rail operator added that the Inverness to Aberdeen route also has a speed restriction in place between Inverurie and Huntly while parts of the Wemyss Bay are also affected by the severe weather.

ScotRail has urged passengers to check for information on their journeys before setting off.

The Met Office said the most severely impacted areas could endure a month’s rain in a day.

The forecaster said: “Following persistent and heavy rain over the past 24 hours, rain is expected to continue through Sunday morning before moving south and gradually easing later.”

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