Government Launches Cell Broadcast Alert System For Real-Time Disaster Warnings

The government on Saturday launched the ‘Cell Broadcast Alert System’, an advanced platform designed to send real-time disaster and emergency alerts directly to citizens’ mobile phones.

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia introduced the system with support from the National Disaster Management Authority and under the guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

According to officials, the system enables the rapid dissemination of critical information related to disasters, emergencies and public safety, ensuring timely alerts reach people across the country.

A nationwide test of the system ran successfully earlier in the day. During the exercise, mobile users received emergency alert messages accompanied by a beep sound on their devices.

The government also carried out testing of the indigenous mobile emergency alert system to enhance preparedness for natural calamities. The National Disaster Management Authority conducted these tests through flash SMS messages.

“NDMA will test Cell Broadcast Alerts on May 2, 2026, in your area. On receiving the message on your mobile phone, no action is required. Please do not panic,” the government said in a sample message.

Officials noted that alerts appeared with a loud alarm tone and flashing messages on mobile screens.

The alerts are transmitted via the indigenous Integrated Alert System ‘SACHET’, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and are based on the Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union.

The system can deliver alerts for a range of emergencies, including tsunamis, earthquakes and lightning strikes. It can also send alerts for man-made hazards such as gas leaks and chemical incidents to users in specific locations.

Authorities have conducted multiple trials to evaluate performance and reliability ahead of a nationwide rollout. The NDMA, India’s apex disaster management body, is overseeing the initiative.

After the testing phase, the rollout will operationalise the system nationwide. The system will deliver emergency alerts in multiple Indian languages across all mobile handsets.

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