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The nationwide mobile-based disaster communication system was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday. Its purpose is to deliver emergency information to citizens faster and more effectively. The Department of Telecommunications has developed this system in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to deliver critical information to citizens faster and more effectively during emergency situations.

Due to this, millions of mobile users across the country received a trial message, which read “Extremely Severe Alert”. Although people were not required to take any action regarding this, it was sent as an alternative to the new system.

What is disaster communication system?

This initiative is based on the Integrated Alert System (SACHET), which has been implemented in all 28 states and 8 union territories. Let us tell you, this platform developed by the Center for Development of Telecommunications (C-DOT) will send SMS based alerts to mobile users to give geographically targeted warnings, which will be a recommended common alert protocol by the International Telecommunication Union.

How many SMS have been sent so far?

This system is being used extensively by disaster management authorities across the country. According to the information, this SMS alert has now been sent to the phones of more than 134 billion people in more than 19 Indian languages. At the same time, various incidents like natural disasters, extreme weather warnings and cyclones have been included in it. Not only this, to further strengthen the reach of alert SMS during critical situations like flash flood, earthquake, tsunami and lightning, the government has also introduced Cell Broadcast (CB) technology along with the SMS system.

SMS and Cell Broadcast System

Unlike daily messaging, CB technology will be able to deliver instant messages even during network congestion in a defined geographical area. Due to this system the emergency response communication infrastructure will be strengthened.