The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is enhancing mobile based disaster communication systems to ensure timely dissemination of critical information. The Integrated Alert System (SACHET), developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) recommended by the International Telecommunication Union and has been operationalised for national use.

The platform is reported to be active across all 36 States and Union Territories and delivers disaster and emergency alerts via SMS to mobile users within geo targeted areas. Authorities state the system has enabled dissemination of over 134 bn SMS alerts to date in more than 19 Indian languages during natural disasters, weather warnings and cyclonic events. C-DOT has been entrusted with the indigenous development and deployment of a Cell Broadcast (CB) system to complement SMS for urgent incidents.

Cell Broadcast technology has been introduced to strengthen alert dissemination in time critical situations such as tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes and man made emergencies including gas leaks and chemical hazards. In a CB system alerts are transmitted simultaneously to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area, ensuring near real time delivery. Nationwide testing and trials of the CB facility are under way as part of the pan India rollout to assess performance and reliability prior to formal inauguration and dedication to the nation.

During the testing phase members of the public may receive test messages in English, Hindi and regional languages on their mobile devices and recipients are requested to take no action. Test messages will be received only on devices with Cell Broadcast test channels enabled and users may enable or disable alerts via handset safety and emergency settings. Recipients may receive multiple messages as part of validation and once successfully tested the CB system will be used to disseminate alerts across all mobile handsets regardless of test channel settings to ensure wide and inclusive public reach. The DoT has requested public co operation during the validation exercise.