Several rivers close to having critically low water levels

River levels, including the River Nith, also fell in May

Several rivers in the east of Scotland are approaching a critical level of water scarcity, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa)

The River Don and the Firth of Tay are among six areas experiencing "moderate" scarcity and are estimated to be around two weeks away from "significant" scarcity.

A number of other rivers, including the River's Spey and Forth, are also being monitored carefully by the watchdog.

It is this third time this year that river levels in eastern Scotland have given Sepa cause for concern.

In May, the whole country was placed under some level of water scarcity warning, after the driest start to the year in six decades.

In July, several weeks of high temperatures and little rain caused water scarcity levels to drop again.

On both occasions rainfall arrived just before regulatory action was required.

However, river flows in these areas have never fully recovered to normal, leaving them vulnerable to the current conditions, Sepa said.

'Sustained pressure'

Eilidh Johnston, Sepa's senior manager in water industry and rural economy, said a number of rivers remained under "sustained pressure".

"Approaching significant scarcity for the third time this year in some areas highlights the vulnerability of eastern Scotland's water environment," she said.

"We understand that after such a long period the message may feel repetitive, and it's easy to assume that rainfall will arrive in time to ease the pressure as it has before. But there's no guarantee that will happen this time."

Ironically, the warning by Sepa was issued just hours before heavy downpours caused flooding in Dundee and mudslides in Aberdeenshire.

The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms.

However, Sepa says the ground is often so dry that rainfall is running off rather than soaking into the ground.

Which rivers are giving cause for concern?

Water scarcity is a situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply.

The Deveron, Ythan, Don and Esk in the north east, as well as the River Esk and Firth of Tay and Tyne in Lothian are currently experiencing moderate scarcity.

The catchments for the River Almond, Tweed, Findhorn, Spey, Dee and Firth of Forth are on alert.

An early warning has also been raised for Orkney, Thurso and the Clyde, which means conditions are drying but no action is required.