Mobile phones across India buzzed with loud emergency alerts today (2 May) as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched a nationwide mobile-based disaster communication system designed to deliver real-time warnings during emergencies.
The test messages, some marked 'Extremely Severe Alert', triggered confusion amongst citizens before authorities clarified the notifications were part of a planned exercise.
The Department of Telecommunications, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority, is actively enhancing mobile-based disaster communication systems across the country.
NDMA has successfully operationalised the Integrated Alert System (SACHET), developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier research and development centre of the Department of Telecommunications.
The Ministry of Communications has so far disseminated over 134 billion SMS alerts in more than 19 Indian languages during disasters, weather warnings, and cyclonic events.
The new system introduces Cell Broadcast technology alongside existing SMS alerts, enabling authorities to send alerts simultaneously to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area.
Cell Broadcast technology has been introduced to strengthen alert dissemination in time-critical situations, such as tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes and man-made emergencies like gas leaks or chemical hazards.
In a Cell Broadcast System, alerts are transmitted to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area simultaneously, ensuring near real-time delivery.
The test was scheduled to cover Delhi NCR and the capital cities of all States and Union Territories.
The test excluded border areas and poll-bound states.
Unlike regular SMS notifications, these alerts are designed to grab immediate attention.
When triggered, they override normal phone settings, producing a sharp alarm sound along with a prominent on-screen message.
Citizens received test messages only on devices with Cell Broadcast test channels enabled, though once fully operational, the system will reach all compatible handsets regardless of settings.
Once successfully tested and operationalised, the CB system will be used to disseminate alerts in multiple Indian languages across all mobile handsets-regardless of test channel settings-ensuring a wide and inclusive public reach during actual emergencies.
Authorities urged citizens not to panic, emphasising that the initiative represents a major step towards strengthening India's disaster preparedness and early warning capabilities through indigenous technology.
These messages are part of a planned nationwide testing exercise and do not require any action by the recipients.
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