Bhubaneswar, October 25: Mobile users across Odisha received an emergency alert on Wednesday. The message, accompanied by an emergency tone, was sent at around 12.30 PM to Android and iPhone devices. However, there is no need for panic, as this alert was part of a crucial test for the nation’s new emergency alert system.
The message was sent by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the ministry of communications as a part of its pilot testing of the emergency alert system being implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
“This is a SAMPLE TESTING MESSAGE sent through the 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 has been sent to the Test 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,” read the message sent by the DoT.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Deputy Director Bijay Bhusan Pandey said the testing of the emergency alert system in the State of Odisha remained successful.
“At least 99.99 percent mobile users in Odisha have received the message in ODI today. It was successful,”
He said that the message can be sent to particular districts and areas of the State too.
The messages were sent in both English and Odia languages. The message directly appeared on the screen whether the mobile phone was ON or switched off.
The cell broadcast technology was developed by C-DOT that will alert people at the time of natural disaster.
The NDMA will send the message to the people with the help of DoT and telecom operators. The message can be sent to a particular region or the entire State at one go and the subscribers will receive the message on switch-off mode also.
Common applications of cell broadcast include delivering emergency alerts such as severe weather warnings like Tsunamis, flash floods, earthquakes, lightning, public safety messages, evacuation notices, and other critical information.
