Did you receive an emergency flash message on your mobile phone, followed by a loud warning tone? There is no need to worry; it’s a 'Test Alert' notification being carried out as part of a nationwide test of the emergency system on Friday.
In an effort to strengthen disaster preparedness, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications, is conducting 'Test Alert' notifications accompanied by a sharp warning tone.
The notification was sent to both iPhone and Android users at around 11:58 am.
"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,” the notification read.
The notification also clarified that users may receive multiple messages during the testing phase. The public is not required to do any action, it said.
The ongoing testing process was detailed on the website of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) as well.
Previously, the notification was labelled a 'SAMPLE TESTING MESSAGE' to evaluate the Pan-India Emergency Alert System. Developed by the National Disaster Management Authority, this system aims to bolster public safety by providing real-time warnings for life-threatening events like earthquakes, tsunamis, and flash floods.
Emergency broadcast testing
As part of its nationwide rollout, the Cell Broadcast (CB) system is being rigorously tested to ensure its effectiveness and reliability before it becomes fully operational. During this validation period, users with enabled test channels may receive notifications in both English and Hindi. Authorities have noted that as mobile towers (Base Station Transceivers) are evaluated across various networks, users might receive these alerts multiple times.
Once fully operational, the CB system will be capable of delivering alerts in multiple Indian languages, including regional, across all mobile handsets, regardless of test channel settings.
