The Department of Telecom has once again sent out ’emergency alerts’ on mobile phones across various parts of India today. The sms 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.”
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) started testing the emergency cell broadcast technology that has been developed by C-DOT. This will alert people at the time of natural disaster, a senior government official said on August 17, 2023.
A PTI report mentioned that this technology is available only with a foreign vendor in the present. C-DOT has been developing it in house to have India’s own emergency broadcast technology.
C-DOT Chief Executive Officer Rajkumar Upadhyay mentioned that this technology will be implemented by the NDMA and it will send broadcast alerts at the time of disaster directly on mobile screens.
Trials had begun on pan-india level and several versions of the message were sent.
A time to time test of this broadcast technology will take place. It will help in assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of the emergency warning broadcast technology along with the capabilities of mobile operators and cell broadcast systems.
Several other countries already have emergency broadcast technology in place. Recently, Russia began testing an emergency public warning system. In a report by Reuters it was mentioned that Russia will conduct a test drive. It is a precautionary measure that creates awareness for the common public about the necessary steps required during uncertain times.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations has issued a statement regarding the nationwide test, emphasizing, “In the event of hearing a siren, it is important to maintain composure and avoid panicking. Tune in to any publicly accessible television channel or radio to listen to the information message.” The Ministry further explains, “This warning system is designed to promptly communicate signals to the population in the event of a natural or man-made threat or emergency.”
Prior to Russia, similar emergency public warning systems were also tested in the USA and India. In the United States, the test aimed to ensure the effectiveness of alerts sent to the public, as stated in the press release by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).