Indian mobile users receive emergency alert on phone. Here's what it means

The emergency alert was received again today. (Image: @jamnapaarii/X)

Several mobile users in India were startled after hearing a loud alarm and a long text message flashing on their devices at around 11.35 am today. The emergency alert was sent by the government to test the new emergency alert system which is being deployed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). A similar alert was sent to numerous iPhone and Android users on September 15 as well.

The message read, “This is a SAMPLE TESTING MESSAGE sent through Cell Broadcasting System by Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. Please ignore this message as no action is required from your end. This message has been sent to TEST Pan-India Emergency Alert System being implemented by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). It aims to enhance public safety and provide timely alerts during emergencies.”

A number of social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) to share screenshots of the same. While some people were quite baffled because of the sudden alarm, others were quite confused. The text message was received in Hindi and English both.

“Test message once each in Eng and Hin is well taken. Sending the same alert 6 times is spam, it even bypasses mobile silent mode and makes a huge alarm, is very annoying,” a user wrote.

Another user commented, “Can anyone tell why I am receiving this type of flash message again and again. Is this happening only with my close ones or is it happening with everyone?”

A third user remarked, “Do not fret! This is a sample testing massage. This is a reminder that this notification will be used in case of emergency like a flood, earthquake, war, etc. The sole purpose of this alert is to spread public safety. It is a PAN India EAS.”

See some other reactions here:

Did this too scare you? #EmergencyAlertSystem #EmergencyAlert pic.twitter.com/OE5mr3sTUU

— (@jamnapaarii) October 10, 2023

Emergency alert: Extreme
Pehle English mein phir Hindi mein aaya. #emergencyalert#EmergencyAlertSystem pic.twitter.com/kpVAPYubkZ

— Evan Jacob Sid (@evanjacobsid) October 10, 2023

Have you received this message???
This is a wireless emergency alert sent out to check the efficiency and effectiveness of the #Emergency warning broadcast capabilities.#emergencyalert #SafetyFirst pic.twitter.com/q30WXDPSGv

— Tech Gyan (@TechGyanlife) October 10, 2023

"Alert" aaya?#emergencyalert #Emergency pic.twitter.com/V9XkoGJgqW

— Gati Varshney (@GatiVarshney) October 10, 2023

This message comes with very High Beep & had come to my phone many times before.
It also shows a written message that it's an emergency alert system message.#emergencyalert

— मैं October 10, 2023

In August, a senior government official told PTI that NDMA is testing the emergency cell broadcast technology developed by C-DOT to alert citizens in case of a natural disaster.

C-DOT Chief Executive Officer Rajkumar Upadhyay told PTI that the technology is currently available only with a foreign vendor and hence C-DOT is developing it in house.

"The cell broadcast technology is under development. It will be implemented by NDMA for sending out alert at the time of disaster directly on the mobile phone screens. It is currently being tested on Jio and BSNL network," Upadhyay said. He said that there are various versions of the cell broadcast messages that are required to be developed to propagate through telecom networks.