New Delhi: The government on Saturday carried out a nationwide trial of an indigenous mobile-based emergency alert system aimed at improving public safety during natural disasters and other crises.
The system, known as 'Cell Broadcast Alert', is currently undergoing pan-India testing. As part of the exercise, users received a flash SMS message issued by the National Disaster Management Authority.
The message stated: "NDMA will test Cell Broadcast Alerts on 2 May 2026 in your area. On receiving the message on your mobile phone, no action is required. Please do not panic."
When the alert was delivered on Saturday, it triggered a loud ringing sound on mobile devices, accompanied by a sharp alarm tone and a flashing notification, drawing immediate attention.
Developed using indigenous technology
The alerts were sent through the Integrated Alert System, also known as SACHET, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics. The system is designed as a domestic solution to strengthen disaster communication infrastructure.
It operates on the Common Alerting Protocol, a global standard recommended by the International Telecommunication Union.
Designed for disaster warnings
The purpose of the system is to deliver emergency notifications to people in affected areas during events such as tsunamis, earthquakes and lightning strikes. It is also intended to be used in situations involving man-made hazards, including gas leaks and chemical incidents.
These alerts are sent directly to mobile phones within specific geographic locations, ensuring timely communication during emergencies.
Testing for reliability before rollout
Although similar tests have been conducted earlier, the current nationwide exercise is aimed at evaluating the system's efficiency and reliability before it is fully implemented across the country.
The alerts were issued by the NDMA, the apex authority responsible for disaster management in India. They were received on devices where the Cell Broadcast test channels had been enabled.
How users can manage alerts
Users have the option to enable or disable such alerts through their phone settings. This can be done by navigating to Settings, then Safety and emergency, followed by Wireless emergency alerts and Test alerts.
System to be launched nationwide
Once the testing phase is completed, the mobile alert system is expected to be rolled out across India. It will deliver emergency notifications in multiple Indian languages and will be supported across all mobile handsets.
Agency inputs