Margao: Kushavati district collector Egna Cleetus has directed sub-divisional magistrates to identify and trim dangerous trees before the onset of monsoon, and to dispose of pending cases under the Trees Act without delay.The directions came at a monsoon preparedness meeting chaired by Cleetus, in her capacity as chairperson of the district disaster management authority, held in the presence of the additional collector-II and deputy collector-I, and attended by officers of all line departments.Sub-divisional magistrates were instructed to conduct joint inspections with the PWD and water resources department to ensure cleaning of drainage and gutters across their jurisdictions. All departments have been asked to identify nallahs and drainage systems and complete inspections within the current month, with pre-monsoon works to be completed by May 10.The health department was directed to arrange ambulances and put emergency arrangements in place, including preparedness at primary health centres. Sub-divisional magistrates were also asked to convene meetings of vector-borne disease committees in their respective talukas.They were also directed to coordinate with block development officers and chief officers of municipalities to identify dilapidated structures and initiate action. They were further asked to identify suitable locations for signage at water bodies and to deploy talathis to map flood-prone areas and vulnerable structures within their jurisdictions.
