SACHET Alert System C-DOT India: Suddenly loud sirens and emergency alert messages on mobile phones across the country created mystery and stir. Crores of phones buzzed simultaneously during the testing of NDMA’s SACHET system. This real-time alert, which came through cell broadcast technology, raised a big question on the capability of the disaster warning system and the future safety strategy.
NDMA Emergency Alert System India: There was a stir across the country on Saturday morning when millions of mobile phones simultaneously started buzzing with a loud siren-like sound. Flash messages in Hindi and English appeared on the screen, which frightened many people and left others confused. Within a few seconds the message was read on the phone and also played in audio form. However, after some time the situation became clear that this was not a sign of any disaster but was part of a government test alert system.
Scroll to load tweet…
Was this a real threat or just a trial? suspense cleared
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) immediately clarified that this was a testing of an emergency mobile alert system. Its objective was to test the ability to provide immediate information to citizens in case of disaster across the country. The government had already informed the citizens that there is no need to panic when such messages come. This was a completely controlled technical exercise.
Scroll to load tweet…
How did the alert come on the phone? Three beeps and then echo of message
Mobile users reported that on their phones:
- There was a loud beep three times
- Flash message appears on the screen
- The message was in Hindi, English and regional languages
- After the message, the information was also read out in audio.
This message was not saved in the phone’s inbox, but was a “flash alert” that disappeared immediately.
Scroll to load tweet…
SACHET SYSTEM: India’s new digital security shield
This entire system is based on the SACHET platform of C-DOT (Center for Development of Telematics) developed in India. This technology works on Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and is active in all the states and union territories of the country. NDMA has linked it to the cell broadcast technology of mobile networks, so that alerts can be sent simultaneously to all phones in any area.
Scroll to load tweet…
System works even without internet, record of 134 billion alerts
This technology works even without internet and can send instant warnings in case of disaster. So far through this system:
- Alerts have been sent in more than 19 Indian languages.
- Over 134 billion messages have been transmitted.
- It has been used in cyclone, flood and weather alerts.
Will the disaster warning system change in the future?
The government claims that this technology will be able to alert people within seconds in future earthquakes, floods, cyclones and national emergencies. However, Saturday’s testing once again raised the question whether the country is fully prepared for such a high-tech alert system. At present NDMA has made it clear – it was just a test, there was no real situation of danger.