CONDITIONS on the River Clyde have been described as "deadly" after heavy rain hit the city.

The river burst its banks at Dalmarnock on Wednesday afternoon as as Storm Georgina brought heavy rain.

Glasgow Humane Society said conditions on the water were the worst they had ever seen.

George Parsonage, chief officer of the society, said problems caused a the broken weir in September, rainfall and a lack ‘arable land’ has left the Clyde in a bad situation.

He said: “We’re seeing real problems to do with flood water which is creating a potentially deadly situation.

“Stemming from the broken weir, our pontoon has become twisted and whirlpools are forming close to the Suspension Bridge.

“There has been movement in the banks and because there is a lack of arable land - it has all been turned into concrete - there is nothing to absorb water like their used to be.

“We’ve had three or four people out of trying to combat the water and get all the boats onto land.”

The River Clyde last experienced major problems in September when the gate suffered a mechanical fault, causing it to jam open and leave the banks exposed at low tide.

Without the weir, water levels were able to rise and fall with a tide from a depth of more than four metres to only 1.5 metres.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council, said: " The river is particularly high, as most are, given melting snow and recent heavy rain. People are advised to take a common sense approach and avoid any flooded paths or walkways until the water recedes.”

Glasgow Humane Society have warned members of the public to avoid areas where the banks have burst, especially when walking dogs.

Mr Parsonage added: “A dog had to rescued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue last week but if they hadn’t showed up, a member of the public would have went in and could have drowned themselves.

“We have had too many accidents recently and we need people to be extra careful.”

Forecasters have issues a warning for rain accompanied by strong winds and said that flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely, while flooding is also expected on roads.

On Wednesday, A landslip closed the main Edinburgh to Glasgow line - hours after it was shut by flooding. The rockfall at Winchburgh in West Lothian followed high water levels under a bridge between Linlithgow and Winchburgh earlier halting trains.