By Surihe Gaomas RUNDU President Hifikepunye Pohamba will brief Cabinet tomorrow on the escalating flood crisis in Caprivi, where seven lives have so far been lost. The record flooding has displaced thousands of villagers while swamping grazing areas and flooding many huts. In an exclusive interview with New Era on Friday, he said he was deeply disturbed by the situation after what he saw first hand. He would do everything in his power to prevent the further loss of human lives. “It’s big destruction. The fields are under water, you see many villages also under water, no grazing for animals and cattle are living in water,” the President told New Era. Since the massive evacuation exercise started last Friday, hundreds of school children who were trapped in the flooded areas have been evacuated to higher ground. “Fishing projects have been destroyed by water and most of the people are without any property as their homes are under water,” added Pohamba. In an effort to address the grave situation, a combined evacuation operation between central and regional government is already under way to move people to safe places and avoid further loss of lives. The government set aside N$10-million specifically for flood relief three weeks ago. “I hope within the next three to four days, we would have moved many people to safe areas,” said Pohamba, adding that although the flood situation is grave, it has however not come to the point where the country may need international support. “As for now, we have to prepare for flood relief for the people in the Caprivi,” stressed the Head of State. On the issue of stranded animals and game, Pohamba said that on his return to Windhoek, he will hold consultative meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. “The problem of evacuating animals – that one remains a problem because you can’t put them in boats like you do for people. These domestic animals and wild animals like buffaloes are a problem. One does not know what to do to get them out,” explained Pohamba. Asked why floodwater cannot be re-channeled to prevent excess flooding, he said the two rivers of Zambezi and Kavango are shared by more than one country. In addition, there are international laws governing the rivers shared between Namibia, Angola and Botswana. Thus nothing can be done without the consent of the other parties. “As long as we do not have this agreement, it remains unworkable to get water from the Zambezi or Kavango rivers,” said Pohamba. At noon on Friday, the President was given a traditional welcome at Rundu Airport. Before his plane touched down, waiting dignitaries had to briefly scramble for cover amidst pouring rain. Pohamba was whisked away to Mashare River Lodge near Rundu where he spent the night.