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The footage, taken by a shopper at about 2am, shows water coming down from the roof by the cafes and food outlets inside The Jewel supercentre.

The shopper, who lives locally but did not want to be named, said staff reacted quickly to contain the water using compost bags and absorbing strips.

He said there were buckets positioned in most of the food aisles he went down but the major issue was the ceiling by the cafes.

Asda staff used compost bags to contain the floodwater. Pic: contributed.

He added: "I was talking to some of the staff and they were saying they should have taken their wellies into work.

"It was dripping and almost pouring, you can hear it in the video. Part of the plasterboard in the ceiling had also collapsed.

"I've never seen lightning like last night in Scotland before. Usually it lasts for only a couple of minutes.”

An Asda spokesperson said: "Following the torrential downpour in Edinburgh last night the Asda Café will be closed for a short period whilst repairs are made to the roof. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding."

Heavy rain arrived last night during the thunder and lightning storms and this led to flooding in various parts of Edinburgh.

Video footage shared widely on social media captured the regular bursts of lightning which persisted for long periods into the night.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said the unusually persistent lightning resulted from high temperatures and severe convection which caused high levels of energy in the atmosphere.

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Edinburgh weather: Watch as rainwater streams through Asda ceiling during overnight thunder and lightning storm