More than 400 families in Taveta, Taita Taveta county have been rendered homeless after their homes were swept by ranging flash floods on Friday night.
Most of the residents have been forced to seek accommodation from their friends and well-wishers while others are camping at Kimondia in Mata ward.
Villages highly hit by the flash floods include, Mwarusa, Mata, Lesuyai, Rekeke, Kitobo, Wanganga, Gregan and Tangini.
Others are Njoro Masaini, Kimorigho and Ndilidau among others.
Residents said the raging floods started on Thursday after rivers Ruvu and Njoro broke their banks following heavy downpour.
A spot check by the Star established that some 211 residents from 99 families have sought refuge at the Kimondia market shed awaiting evacuation to safe ground.
Many farms have been submerged in water, some of the livestock swept away while feeder roads have been rendered impassable.
“Flood water swept across the area, destroying our crops and property. We have lost all our belongings and we are only waiting for wellwishers to come for the rescue," Asinati Nathaniel said during an interview at Mwarusa village.
The 74-year-old granny said that together with her 90 year-old-husband she escaped death by a whisker after their house came down trembling due to the heavy rain and flood water.
She asked government and humanitarian agencies to swiftly rescue her family, whom she said had been rendered homeless.
The Taveta area is prone to flooding every year due to its proximity to Mt Kilimanjaro. The raging water is a result of heavy rainfall in the region and at the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro in neighbouring Tanzania.
Residents asked the government to put up mitigation measures to contain floods, adding that they pose a risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.
"Many people, especially in Mata and Kimorigho, are displaced by floods every year. The government should come up with mitigation measures, especially on the drainage of water from Tanzania," Daniel Mwanza, Kimondia village elder said.
He said those who were unable to move to the camp are now forced to build makeshift houses as they wait for assistance from well-wishers.
Mwanza noted that, if not controlled, the floods might negatively affect food production in the area that has for years been a food basket for the entire Coast region.
"This area has a high agricultural productivity and we should not be asking for food aid.
The floods should be controlled so that we continue with our farming activities.
Speaking separately during the situation assessment visits, Governor Andrew Mwadime and Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo assured residents that the devolved unit is moving with speed to mobilise resources to help those affected.
Mwadime further directed the public works department to repair the Ndilidau water pan that is at risk of breaking its banks.
"Our officials will work with residents to repair the water pan before it spills over. The pan now poses a safety risk to the adjacent Ndilidau dispensary and families," the county boss said on Saturday.
Last week, a five-year-old boy died after he drowned while playing near the water pan.
While visiting the flooded villages at Mboghoni and Mata wards, Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo said that they are working with the Kenya Red Cross to evacuate the affected residents to neighbouring ECDE centres.
"We are giving priority to children, elderly and expectant mothers in the rescue mission. They will be moved to the nearby ECDE centre to avert any loss of life," Kilalo told residents at Kimondia.
Further, she said, the government will supply clean water and food aid to the affected areas in a bid to control the spread of waterborne diseases.
Kilalo advised residents living in flood-prone areas to move to higher and safer grounds because of imminent flooding and to reduce the losses occasioned by heavy rainfall.
Besides Taveta, Wundanyi, Mbale and Rong’e are some of the areas prone to landslides in the area while Maungu, Mwatate and Msambweni estates along the Voi rivers are areas prone to flooding.