Kisumu County government has appealed for helicopters from the national government agencies to help in the evacuation of people marooned by floods in Kisumu County.
Governor Anyang' Nyong'o on Sunday noted that more than 600 people are locked in their homes, business premises, health facilities and on the roads by the floods.
The county boss said the flooding situation has been worsened after River Nyando after burst its banks on Saturday evening causing extensive damage to homes, urban centres, public institutions and infrastructure.
"We have appealed to the state departments with helicopters including the KDF, Kenya Wildlife Services, and Kenya Forest Service to intervene and help us rescue the affected people," he said.
The increasing backflow from Lake Victoria has also contributed to the situation.
He said the Ahero bridge on the busy Kisumu- Nairobi-Kisii-Homa Bay and Migori was flooded disrupting transport.
The whole of Ahero Town and several Health facilities including the Ahero Sub-County Hospital, wards offices among other offices have adversely been affected.
"Seven villages in Ombeyi location are completely submerged in water. The bridge on Homa lime bridge in Muhoroni Sub-County has collapsed. Many parts of Muhoroni and Nyakach are cut off from the rest of the county due to the floods," he said
He added that many roads have been rendered impassable, making it difficult to distribute food and evacuate the victims.
The governor noted that they are working closely with the National government through their Multi-Agency committee to help the people.
"We sincerely thank the Coast Guard and the Kenya Red Cross Society whose teams are already at Ahero to help in the rescue mission," he said.
He added that they were making arrangements to hire boats to help in ferrying the affected households to centres set for affected families.
The governor further appealed to people living along Miriu and other rivers and near Lake Victoria to leave and seek refuge on higher ground.
"We appeal to well-wishers willing to donate food and non-food items to visit our collection centre at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex in Kisumu," he added.
