Did you hear a loud notification sound and see a pop-up message on your phone today? Don’t panic, it was just a sample testing message from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Government of India. The message was sent through the Cell Broadcasting System, which is a new emergency alert system being implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The latest alert said:
“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. This message has been sent to test Pan- India Emergency Alert System being implemented by National Disaster Management Authority. It aims to enhance public safety and provide timely alerts during emergencies. Timestamp: 10-10-2023 12:58 PM.”
The DoT explained that the message was part of a test to check the efficiency and effectiveness of the emergency warning broadcast capabilities of mobile operators and cell broadcast systems. The test was conducted between 12PM and 1PM on Tuesday, and it was not the first one. The DoT has been sending out similar messages in different regions over the past few months.
The emergency alert system is designed to inform the public about potential threats such as tsunamis, flash floods and earthquakes in a timely manner. Officials say that this system ensures the rapid dissemination of critical emergency information to as many people as possible. It serves as a tool for government agencies and emergency services to communicate with the public during disasters.
So, if you received this message today, you can relax and ignore it. It was just a test, and nothing bad happened. But if you receive such a message in the future, make sure to pay attention and follow the instructions.
Source: The Indian Express