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© UnknownParts of Edinburgh have already been flooded this week
Torrential rain could chaos traffic chaos and flooding across Scotland in the next 36 hours - with Edinburgh and East Lothian set to be hit hardest.

The Met Office have issued rain alerts for most of Scotland, including an Amber Warning of likely flooding covering South West Scotland and the Lothian and Borders area.

The Scottish Environmental Portection Agency say Edinburgh and East Lothian in particular could be badly hit on Wednesday as river levels rise.

A Yellow Warning of potential flooding has also been issued for Central, Tayside, Fife and Strathclyde.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "Unfortunately some of those communities who were caught up in the heavy rain in over Edinburgh and the Lothians at the weekend are now being warned to expect more testing conditions over the next 24 to 36 hours.

"The Scottish Government's resilience team is meeting this afternoon to receive an update on preparations from representatives of the Met Office, emergency services, SEPA, Transport Scotland and local authorities.

"The Traffic Scotland Control Centre will monitor the travel situation very closely over the next 24 hours and continue to liaise with key partners including ScotRail, Network Rail and operating companies. SEPA will also keep a very close eye on the flooding risk.

"Traffic Scotland is alerting the travelling public in the affected areas and those who will be heading into the affected areas via its usual channels - website, VMS signs, internet radio and social networks.

"This is clearly a very frustrating time for everyone affected, especially at a time of year when they are entitled to expect some respite."

Caroline Sharkey, Duty Flood Advisor of SEPA, said: "SEPA already has Flood Alerts in force for the Borders, Edinburgh and the Lothians.

"There is a low risk of river flooding in the Scottish Borders from Tuesday afternoon but the greater risk is on Wednesday in eastern Lothian and Edinburgh, as rivers are expected to rise on Wednesday in response to the heavy rain predicted across the south east of Scotland.

"The slow moving and persistent rain also means that there is potential for surface water flooding issues on Tuesday/Wednesday, which we expect to affect the west of Inverness, Angus and Eastern Perthshire, particularly the Pitlochry area.

"SEPA will be monitoring the situation 24/7 and would urge those living, working or travelling through flood risk areas to remain vigilant."

She urged people to use the Floodline on 0845 988 11 88 or SEPA's flood warning website.