IT'S DROUGHT OF ORDER

Water shortage early warning issued on same day as flooding alerts

- PAUL DRURY

SCOTLAND'S first water shortage warning of the year has been issued - just as the public were told to brace themselves for thunderstorms.

Despite the fourth wettest April in history, an "early warning" for water scarcity has been declared in the north-west Highlands and Inner Hebrides.

Soil moisture is low in the affected areas, where the Scottish Environment Protection Agency insists rainfall has been lower than normal.

The SEPA warning stated: "SEPA is monitoring the situation and coordinating steps to manage water resources in line with Scotland's National Water Scarcity Plan." The alert comes as the same government agency had 15 flood alerts in place for swathes of the country last night.

The Met Office also extended a yellow warning for thunderstorms, creeping up Britain towards Scotland yesterday afternoon and evening.