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 rapid and effective delivery of emergency warnings to citizens.
Developed by the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the system is designed to disseminate critical information to citizens during emergencies more swiftly and efficiently.
The foundation of this initiative 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 officials across the country are extensively using this system. So far, 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 geographical 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 more robust, real-time, and accessible during disasters.
As part of this plan, 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 has clarified that these are only test-related warnings, and no action is expected from the public. They have urged citizens not to panic upon receiving such messages.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
