The Gujarat government has stepped up disaster preparedness after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across parts of the state between July 31 and August 2. Authorities have placed 13 districts on high alert, cancelled leave for officials in vulnerable areas and strengthened emergency response systems to deal with any weather-related emergencies.

The preparedness measures were reviewed during a meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Dr Jayanti Ravi at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar. The meeting was held through video conferencing with district collectors and senior officials from Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, Anand, Narmada, Tapi, Dang, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal, Dahod and Mahisagar.

Dr Ravi reviewed the preparedness of the identified districts and directed district administrations to remain on maximum alert. She instructed that all leave of government officials in the affected districts be cancelled with immediate effect to ensure adequate manpower during the forecast period.

To strengthen emergency management, she directed all districts to operate control rooms round the clock. A Class-I officer has also been asked to remain on duty 24×7 to supervise operations and coordinate response efforts.

NDRF, SDRF and armed forces kept ready

Dr Ravi instructed officials to deploy National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams immediately wherever required, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Emphasising that public safety remains the top priority, she directed authorities to evacuate residents from vulnerable locations whenever necessary. She also said the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force have been kept on standby to assist with rescue and relief operations if the situation worsens.

District Collectors have been authorised to decide on declaring holidays for schools and anganwadis depending on rainfall conditions in their respective districts.

Officials have also been instructed to ensure that evacuation shelters are equipped with food, safe drinking water and essential medical facilities for displaced residents.

Government urges people to avoid unnecessary travel

To curb misinformation during the weather event, Dr Ravi directed district administrations to regularly provide verified updates to the media regarding rainfall conditions and relief measures.

Relief Commissioner Gaurang Makwana said instructions have been issued across the state to remove unsafe hoardings, banners and signboards that could pose risks during strong winds. Authorities have also been directed to take preventive measures against accidents involving old or damaged buildings and other unsafe structures.

Stating that the entire government machinery has been placed on alert mode, Makwana appealed to residents to cooperate with authorities and avoid stepping outside unless absolutely necessary.

According to the IMD forecast, parts of Gujarat are expected to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall between July 31 and August 2, prompting the state administration to intensify precautionary measures to minimise risks and ensure a swift emergency response.

Parliament on Thursday approved legislation that makes insulting the national song Vande Mataram a punishable offence, with the Lok Sabha clearing the bill after it had already been passed by the Rajya Sabha. The amendment extends legal protection currently available to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, to the national song.

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha amid protests from the Opposition. With approval from both Houses, it becomes the first legislation cleared during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

What the amendment changes

The existing Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act penalises acts such as intentionally preventing the singing of the national anthem or disrupting an assembly where it is being sung.

The new amendment brings Vande Mataram under the same legal framework, making insults to the national song a criminal offence. Under the existing law, such offences can attract imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. Repeat convictions carry a mandatory minimum prison term of one year.

Government says bill gives due recognition to national song

Replying to the discussion in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai said the amendment places Vande Mataram on par with the national anthem.

He criticised the Congress, alleging that the party failed to accord the national song the respect it deserved during its years in power and accused it of pursuing appeasement politics. Rai said the Narendra Modi government was giving the song the recognition it merits and concluded his remarks with a chant of “Vande Mataram.”

Opposition raises objections

The bill faced criticism from Opposition members during the debate.

DMK MP K Kanimozhi opposed the legislation, describing it as a “Hindutva agenda” presented in the name of nationalism. She argued that making all six stanzas of Vande Mataram compulsory and criminalising non-compliance was against the country’s secular and federal principles.

BJP MP Sambit Patra, however, defended the legislation, saying previous governments had not accorded the national song the respect it deserved.

The Opposition’s proposed amendments were rejected by the House. During the proceedings, DMK MP A. Raja tore documents and threw them towards the Well of the House amid protests before the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day.

First bill passed in Monsoon Session

The amendment is the first bill to receive approval from both Houses during the ongoing Monsoon Session, which has witnessed repeated disruptions by the Opposition, largely over the NEET paper leak issue.

A mild earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale struck Maharashtra’s Nashik district in the early hours of Thursday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The tremor was recorded at 2:37:41 am IST and originated at a depth of 5 kilometres beneath the surface.

NCS shares earthquake details

The National Center for Seismology said the earthquake’s epicentre was located at latitude 20.448° North and longitude 73.708° East. The agency shared the information in a post on X, confirming the magnitude, location and depth of the seismic event.

“EQ of M: 3.8, On: 30/07/2026 02:37:41 IST, Lat: 20.448 N, Long: 73.708 E, Depth: 5 Km, Location: Nashik, Maharashtra,” the NCS said in its update.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property following the earthquake.

Why shallow earthquakes can be more damaging

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), earthquakes can occur at depths ranging from the Earth’s surface to about 700 kilometres underground. These are generally classified into three categories based on depth: shallow, intermediate and deep earthquakes.

Shallow earthquakes are typically considered more hazardous because seismic waves travel a shorter distance before reaching the Earth’s surface. This can result in stronger ground shaking, increasing the likelihood of structural damage and casualties, depending on the earthquake’s magnitude and the affected area’s infrastructure.