Centre begins nationwide testing of real-time disaster alert system via mobile phones

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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has started nationwide testing of a new mobile-based disaster alert system to strengthen India’s emergency communication infrastructure.

The alert system, based on Cell Broadcast (CB) technology, is being tested as part of the government’s broader initiative to enhance real-time dissemination of critical alerts during emergencies such as earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, and industrial hazards. The system is being indigenously developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).

Unlike SMS alerts, CB messages are broadcast to all mobile phones in a specific area, ensuring rapid delivery even in congested networks. The technology enables alerts to reach citizens almost instantly, making it highly effective during time-sensitive disasters.

This new system is in addition to the already-operational Integrated Alert System (SACHET), which has delivered over 6,899 crore SMS alerts in more than 19 Indian languages across all 36 States and Union Territories. SACHET is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), as recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The CB testing phase, lasting 2–4 weeks, will include test messages sent in English and Hindi to mobile phones that have the CB test channel enabled. Citizens may receive multiple alerts during this period, which are clearly marked as test messages and require no action.

A sample message reads: This is a TEST Cell Broadcast message sent by the National Disaster Management

Authority in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, as part of testing the Cell Broadcast solution for disseminating alerts. During the testing of the Cell Broadcast solution, you may receive this message multiple times on your mobile handset. Please ignore these message(s); no action is required at your end.

Once fully operational, the CB system will broadcast alerts in multiple Indian languages to all mobile users, ensuring broad and inclusive public reach. Authorities have requested public cooperation during this important phase, stressing that the alerts are solely for system validation.