New Delhi(India), 18/07/23: On Thursday, the government tested its “emergency alert system” by sending a test message to a large number of smartphone users.
According to the received flash message, “This is a TEST MESSAGE sent through the Cell Broadcasting System by the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. Please disregard this message as no action is needed from your side.”
The message added, “This message is part of the Pan-India Emergency Alert System testing being implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority. Its purpose is to enhance public safety and provide timely alerts during emergencies.”
The flash message was broadcast to many smartphones at 1.35 p.m. using the Cell Broadcasting System managed by the Department of Telecommunications (C-DOT).
Following the alert, many users took to Twitter (now X) to discuss it.
A user questioned, “I received it as well. Now I’ve gotten another one that reads: Emergency alert: Severe. Police Warning in this vicinity until 12.14 AM CDT Execute Action 200404. Does anyone understand the meaning?”
Routine inspections of mobile operators’ and cell broadcast systems’ emergency warning capabilities would be done across different regions, according to the Department of Telecommunications’ Cell Broadcasting System.
The government is actively improving its preparedness for natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and flash floods in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority. A similar warning study was undertaken with various users around the country the previous month.
