HYDERABAD, June 3 Hyderabad Administrator Aftab Ahmed Khatri has expressed dissatisfaction over pace of work on de-silting in and removal of encroachments over nullahs and directed officers concerned to step up their efforts to be able to face the threat of an imminent tropical cyclone.

The official said at a meeting held at district nazim secretariat on Thursday that encroachments over open nullahs could become serious impediments to draining out rainwater in the event of rain.

He directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and taluka municipal administrators to immediately remove encroachments and ensure that rainwater was disposed of immediately.

Wasa acting managing director Abdul Qayoom Junejo told the meeting that the nullahs, which released effluent into Phulelli at Liaquat Colony, Faqir-Ka-Pir, Pinjra Pull and Nishat Cinema areas had not been de-silted and its responsibility rested with the TMA concerned. The TMO of Hyderabad City said that de-silting of all nullahs was being carried out as and when funds were available and assured the task would be completed before rains.

The TMO of Qasimabad blamed lack of standby generators at pumping stations for proper disposal of rainwater and the TMO of Latifabad said that three emergency centres had been set up in the taluka, 30 pumping stations had been readied for dewatering and standby generators had been placed at eight permanent pumping stations.

The TMO of Tandojam said that three pumping machines had been installed in Tandojam and the six pumping machines which had been provided by the former district government to former UC nazims were still in their possession.

Mr Khatri expressed displeasure over the disclosure and directed the officers concerned to take back the machines and take proper action in this regard.

He informed the meeting that 36 relief camps had been set up in the district and 29 health centres had been assigned the task to provide health facilities to rain victims and adopt precautionary measures against rainwater related diseases.

He said that control rooms had been established in his office, house and offices of DO (revenue) and DDO (revenue) to receive complaints from people.

Besides, he said, a Helpline with toll free phone No1334 had been set up and he had advised individuals and organisations to get help from this Helpline, if necessary.

He directed EDO (health) to Bux Ali Pitafi take foolproof precautionary measures at 26 health facilities and asked him to launch health education programme among people.

Mr Pitafi said that in addition to provision of health facilities at the health units, emergency health complaint centres had also been established with telephone No9200377 and 9200740 to promptly respond to possible victims.

The officers of Irrigation Department expressed fears over disposal of filthy and waste material into Phulelli canal, which according to them had shrunk the canal's capacity. The administrator asked the officers to lodge FIR against the people who were disposing of waste into the canal and directed the TMOs and other officers concerned to remove all billboards on roadsides to prevent loss of lives or property in cane they collapsed in strong winds.

RAIN ALERT In anticipation of heavy rainfall between June 3 and 5, the administrator of Tando Mohammad Khan Ali Ahmed Loond has declared emergency in the district and cancelled leaves of all officers of district government and TMAs.

Mr Loond said in a statement issued on Thursday that 12 relief camps had been set up and many school buildings in all talukas of the district had been readied to turn them into relief camps in case heavy rains hit the district.