Phones beep across India; Did you get the notification?

NEW DELHI: The central government tested the mobile broadcast alert system across the country. Today, alerts came simultaneously on millions of mobile phones. The Department of Telecommunications and the National Disaster Management Authority are jointly conducting trials of a new cell broadcast alert system that can provide emergency warnings simultaneously to all mobile phones in a selected area. The alert came on mobile phones as part of this. The warning message came with an unusual beep sound.

A trial of a system to quickly alert people in the event of natural disasters and emergencies was conducted today. This is a trial run conducted across India. Once this message is received, there is no need to panic or respond. Messages reach phone users in English, Hindi and regional languages. The project was officially inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Information and Broadcasting Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The system is integrated with the alert platform SACHET developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT). The test messages will be received only on mobile phones that have enabled Cell Broadcast Test Alerts. Once the trials are completed, this system will be able to alert people quickly and accurately in case of natural disasters. The system is now operational in the states and union territories of the country.