Cell Broadcast: Did you receive an alert on your mobile phone too? Don't panic—the government is testing a new disaster warning system.

If your phone—and those of people around you—have suddenly started ringing simultaneously, there is no need to panic. This is simply part of a testing exercise being conducted by the Government of India. In fact, the government and the NDMA are currently testing a new Cell Broadcast Disaster Alert System across the entire country. Through this system, alerts will be sent directly to mobile phones during emergency situations such as earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, and gas leaks.

The Government of India has initiated nationwide testing of a mobile-based disaster alert system. This testing is being conducted by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). During this process, warning messages—accompanied by flash SMS notifications and loud alarms—are reaching the mobile phones of many individuals, causing some users to feel alarmed. However, the government has clarified that this is merely a component of the system testing phase.

What is the Cell Broadcast Alert System?

This is a high-tech emergency warning system that enables the government to send alerts directly to mobile phones in the event of any disaster or impending threat. It can be utilized during emergencies such as earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, floods, gas leaks, chemical hazards, and other man-made disasters.

How ​​does this system work?

When a user receives this message, their mobile phone will emit a loud, siren-like sound, followed by the appearance of a flash message on the screen. The user will receive an immediate warning notification. This system has been specifically designed to deliver information rapidly to people located within an affected region.

Alerts to be sent via the SACHET System

According to the government, these alerts will be transmitted through the indigenous Integrated Alert System known as ‘SACHET’. This system was developed by C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics). It is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), a standard recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

But why are test alerts being sent?

The government aims to verify the reliability of mobile networks and the alert system across the country, ensuring that in the event of a genuine disaster, alerts can reach the public both rapidly and accurately. The NDMA has stated that these messages are solely for testing purposes and that the public is not required to take any action in response to them.

How ​​to turn Emergency Alerts On or Off? If you are an Android user, you can follow these steps.

To do this, first go to Settings, then navigate to ‘Safety & Emergency’.

Go to ‘Wireless Emergency Alerts’ and toggle the ‘Test Alerts’ option on or off.

However, the government has clarified that, in the future, actual disaster alerts will be sent to all mobile phones in multiple Indian languages.

Not Just SMS—Digitally Secure Too

This initiative by the government is not limited merely to sending messages; rather, it is being hailed as a significant step toward strengthening India’s digital disaster management network.