New Delhi, May 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alongside Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, will launch a nationwide mobile-based disaster communication system on Saturday. This initiative aims to ensure the swift and effective delivery of emergency warnings to citizens.
Developed by the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), this system is designed to disseminate critical information to the public during emergencies more rapidly and efficiently.
At its core is the Integrated Warning System (Sachet), which has been implemented across all 36 states and union territories. Developed by the Telecommunications Development Centre (C-DOT), this platform utilizes SMS-based alerts to provide geographically targeted warnings to mobile users. It adheres to the Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union.
Disaster management authorities nationwide are extensively using this system. To date, over 134 billion SMS alerts have been sent in more than 19 Indian languages, covering a wide range of natural disasters, extreme weather warnings, and cyclonic events. This extensive usage highlights the growing importance of technology-based early warning systems in saving lives and mitigating disaster impacts.
To enhance the speed and reach of alerts during severe situations such as earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, sudden floods, and industrial hazards, the government has also introduced Cell Broadcast (CB) technology alongside the existing SMS-based system.
Unlike traditional messaging, CB technology enables alerts to be sent simultaneously to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area, ensuring near-instant delivery even during network congestion.
Officials stated that the integration of the SMS and Cell Broadcast systems will significantly improve India’s emergency response communication framework, making it stronger, real-time, and more accessible during disasters.
As part of this initiative, nationwide testing will also be conducted, during which mobile users in major cities, including Delhi-NCR, may receive test messages in English, Hindi, and regional languages. The ministry clarified that these are only test alerts, and no action is required from the public. They have urged citizens not to panic upon receiving such messages.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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