Indians receive flash 'Emergency Alert' on their smartphones

HYDERABAD: People across India received a text flash emergency alert warning on their smartphones on Thursday. Several smartphone users took to 'X' and said they heard a loud beep followed by an 'Emergency Alert' flash on their devices.

The National Disaster Management Authority broadcast the alarm flash message in order to test the Pan-India Emergency alarm System as part of a mock drill.

The emergency flash message sent to smartphones in English, Telugu, and Hindi aims to improve public safety and to enhance disaster preparedness for earthquakes, tsunamis, and flash floods.

The emergency flash message reads, "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."

The Department of Telecommunication plans to conduct periodic tests across various regions to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency warning broadcast capabilities of mobile operators and cell broadcast systems.

KTR mistakes the emergency alert for a fire alarm while speaking at Genome Valley

IT Minister KT Rama Rao received an emergency alert message while speaking to the media at Genome Valley on Thursday, which he mistook for a fire alarm in the auditorium where he was speaking. He even asked those present if they should evacuate the auditorium in the event of a fire alarm. However, after determining that it was merely a smart phone emergency alert, the minister continued his speech.