A low pressure system formed over south-western parts of Scotland on the 30th bringing thunderstorms and torrential downpours to Glasgow and the south-west.
The heavy showers slowly eased as the low pulled south-eastwards during early August.
The worst of the storms was during the evening and night of the Tuesday 30th July, with over 200 people evacuated from their homes in the Greenfield and Shettleston area. The flooding was blamed on old drainage systems which badly needed upgrading.
Many road were affected by flooding and some of the railway lines in the west were closed due to flooding and landslides.
A teenager lost his life in Riddrie Cemetry during the torrents as the saturated ground gave way and he fell into the old mining tunnels under the cemetery where he drowned.
As a result of the flooding the water parasite cryptosporidium was found at the Milngavie water treatment works. Residents supplied by the plant were told to boil water first before drinking it. The treatment plant was later given an upgrade.
Scottish Water have put plans in place which should help to reduce the risk of such an event having the same impact on the city by putting in place fast action Scottish Water ‘choke squads’ to clear sewers; council ‘hit squads’ to clear watercourses and a multi-million pound investment in sewerage improvements.
