Procedure in case of emergency

In cases in which, in the opinion of the Collector of any district in which any irrigation-work may be situated, the immediate execution of any measures in respect of such work is necessary for preventing serious danger to life or property, or serious obstruction to public traffic upon any railway, he may order the execution of such measures, and shall without unnecessary delay record a statement showing the ground of his opinion and the material facts of the case. A copy of the statement shall be served upon the landholder who, according to the Collector's information, is in possession of, or has control over, such work, together with a memorandum showing the nature of the measures executed, the total cost thereof, and the sum which, in the opinion of the Collector, the said landholder is liable to pay, and with a notice calling upon him, within a reasonable time to be fixed therein, to pay the same, or to appear before the Collector and show cause why he should not pay the same.