Ongoing air and aquatic operations are underway to rescue numerous families stranded in their homes in Kenya's western Nyando region amid incessant floods engulfing the country.

The River Nyando overflowed its banks on Saturday, inundating numerous villages and halting traffic on the bustling Kisumu-Nairobi highway.

Local media reported that over 1,000 households were compelled to evacuate their residences.

While no immediate casualties were reported, local authorities noted that water levels continued to rise.

A collaborative effort involving the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Coast Guard Services, and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is utilizing boats and helicopters to access submerged villages.

A KWS helicopter is airlifting rescued individuals, with concerns mounting that many families endured a cold night in the affected villages.

Meanwhile, the government is evacuating additional individuals from flood-prone regions.

President William Ruto announced on Monday that each affected family would receive $70 (£60) from the government to assist them in securing alternative accommodations for three months.

Nationwide, floods have resulted in the deaths of 228 individuals since March, with 72 individuals still unaccounted for, according to government data.

Kenya and neighboring Tanzania were spared significant damage from Cyclone Hidaya, which weakened after reaching land on Saturday.