Phones Beep Across India As Centre Tests Disaster Information Alert System

If your phone buzzed on Saturday with an urgent-sounding government alert, you were not alone and there was no need to panic. Millions of mobile users across the country received a test message as the Centre formally launched its indigenous Cell Broadcast emergency alert system. The alert, marked "Extremely Severe Alert," informed citizens about the activation of a new instant disaster warning service and clarified that no action was required, as it was only a test.

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia rolled out the Cell Broadcast Alert System with support from the National Disaster Management Authority, under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Designed to deliver critical information instantly during disasters or public safety emergencies, the system works without requiring internet access or mobile apps.

According to an official statement by government, at the core of the initiative is SACHET, an integrated alert platform developed by C-DOT and based on the international Common Alerting Protocol. The system is now operational across all 36 states and Union Territories.

Also Read | Got An NDMA Alert On Your Phone? Don't Panic, Here's Why You Received It

To date, disaster management authorities have used the system to send over 134 billion SMS alerts in more than 19 Indian languages during natural disasters, weather warnings, and cyclonic events. 

The new Cell Broadcast technology represents a significant upgrade over traditional SMS alerts. Unlike regular SMS notifications, Cell Broadcast 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, ensuring that even users with their devices on silent or do-not-disturb modes are notified. 

The system is designed to deliver critical information during natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and lightning strikes, as well as man-made crises including gas leaks and chemical hazards. 

Once fully operationalised, the Cell Broadcast system will disseminate alerts across all mobile handsets regardless of individual settings, ensuring wide and inclusive public reach during actual emergencies.