Assam to roll out emergency mobile alert system for impending disasters

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in India is set to roll out an emergency mobile alert system across the northeastern state. The Cell Broadcast System (CBS), a public warning mechanism developed by C-DOT, will enable authorities to send instant, geo-targeted emergency alerts directly to all mobile phones within a specific area.

This system is designed to disseminate critical and time-sensitive messages for impending disasters, including extreme weather events like storms, heavy rain, lightning, cyclones, and floods, as well as other emergencies such as gas leaks. The alerts will trigger a loud audio alarm and vibration on mobile devices for approximately 30 seconds, ensuring they are noticed even if the phone is on silent.

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During the implementation of the said CBS, the citizens may receive emergency alerts on their mobile devices pertaining to disasters. The CBS alerts are highly sensitive, which trigger a loud audio alarm/notification on mobile handsets for approximately 30 seconds whenever received.

The ASDMA highlighted that the CBS is significantly more reliable than traditional SMS alerts. It functions effectively even during network congestion, reaches all mobile users in the targeted zone, including those who are roaming, and supports messages in multiple languages across all network types, from 2G to 5G.

While a nationwide test was conducted in May, Assam excluded the test due to the Model Code of Conduct being in force. Now, following instructions from the Government of India, the state plans to implement the activity across Assam. Citizens are encouraged to share these alerts with family members, particularly the elderly and those in remote areas, to enhance community preparedness.

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The CBS system is far more reliable than traditional SMS alerts. It works even during network congestion, reaches all mobile users in the targeted area, including roaming users. It supports messages in multiple languages and is functional across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.