Indian mobile phone users nationwide were surprised on Thursday, around 1:30 pm by an unexpected ‘Sample Testing Message’ sent through the Cell Broadcasting System labeled ‘Emergency Alert: Severe’ by the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India.
The Department of Telecommunication was actually testing its emergency alert system with this notification. The Department of Telecommunications stated, on July 20, that these tests will sometimes happen in different parts of the country. They want to check how well the emergency alerts work for various Mobile Operators and Cell Broadcast Systems.
Cell broadcast is a technology that enables the government to send messages about disasters to all mobile devices in an area. It does not matter if the people who get the message are locals or tourists. Cell broadcast is frequently used for sending emergency alerts, such as for severe weather warnings like tsunamis, flash floods, and earthquakes.
The DoT explains that cell broadcast is a way of quickly and efficiently informing the public about possible dangers and updates.
The flash message said:
This is a SAMPLE TESTING MESSAGE sent through Cell Broadcasting System by the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. Please ignore this message as no action is required from your end. This message is being sent to TEST the Pan-India Emergency Alert System being implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority. It aims to enhance public safety and provide timely alerts during emergencies.