Several mobile phone users received an emergency alert from the Indian government on Friday afternoon. Users heard a loud beep followed by a flashing message which read: “Emergency alert: severe.” However, the message was simply a test for the government’s new emergency alert system, which is being deployed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The severe emergency alert was sent at random to several smartphone users within India. This is the third time in as many months that NDMA is testing the emergency alert feature to iron out any problems or issues. Users has earlier received similar alerts in August and July as well.
“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,” the emergency alert message read. “This message has been sent to TEST Pan-India Emergency Alert System being implemented by National Disaster Management Authority. It aims to enhance public safety and provide timely alerts during emergencies.”
Android users received the message around 12.19 pm on September 15. The message was sent to users of different telecom operators to test the effectiveness of the alert system.
Last month, 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.
(With inputs from PTI)
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