India on Thursday, February 20, conducted another nationwide test of its emergency alert system, triggering a loud warning tone and flash message on mobile phones in several areas as part of efforts to boost disaster preparedness.
At around 11.58am, iPhone and Android users reported receiving a ‘Test Alert’ notification accompanied by a sharp beep. The message stated that it was a test cell transmission sent by the National Disaster Management Authority in coordination with the Ministry of Communications of the Government of India.
“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 the testing of the Cell Broadcast solution for alert dissemination,” the notification read.
He explained that users may receive the message multiple times during the testing phase and that no action is required from the audience.
The alert also refers to a DoT press release, available on the Press Information Bureau (PIB) website, which details the ongoing testing process.
Earlier versions of the test letter described it as a “model test letter” aimed at evaluating the pan-India emergency alert system implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority. The system is designed to enhance public safety by enabling authorities to send real-time alerts during emergency situations such as earthquakes, tsunamis and flash floods.
Emergency broadcast testing phase
As part of the nationwide rollout, the CB system is undergoing testing across the country to ensure its effectiveness and proper functioning before being rolled out on a large scale.
During this verification phase, test messages may be received in English and Hindi on mobile phones that have CB test channels enabled. Authorities have warned that users may receive alerts multiple times as mobile phone towers – known as base station transceivers (BTS) – are probed across networks.
The PIB statement stressed that all these messages are part of a planned nationwide exercise and do not require any action on the part of the recipients. Once fully operational, the CB system will be able to disseminate alerts in multiple Indian languages across all mobile phones, regardless of the test channel settings.
