Multiple mobile phones made an eerie buzzing sound at around 11.40am today. It wasn't your phone glitching, neither was it an emergency alert message as well.
The alert text sent to almost all mobile phones across the country was a ‘test message’ sent by the government of India testing instant disaster alerting service.
However, the buzz sparked alarm and got people confused as to what had actually happened.
The message was titled ‘Extremely severe alert’ and was followed by the text: “India, launches Cell Broadcast using indigenous technology, for instant disaster alerting service for its citizens. Alert citizens, safe nation. No action is required by the public upon receipt of this message. This is a test message. - Government of India.”
‘Scary as hell’But by the time people read the message, it did trigger some amount of panic and paranoia.
Social media was also abuzz with reactions following the alarm sound on mobile phones which got people quite scared, even if briefly.
Many political leaders also took to social media and said how ‘alarmed’ they were upon receiving the alert message.
Union minister for communication, Jyotiraditya M Scindia said a Cell Broadcasting Solution was launched today by National Disaster Management Agency in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications.
The system will ensure the safety of India's 140 crore population during any disaster, Scindia said, adding that the system will utilise every tower from 2G to 5G.
A day before the alerts were tested, the Department of Telecommunications urged people not to panic when that happens.
“This is part of the testing of the Emergency Alert System, so that accurate information can be received on time during disasters,” a tweet read on Friday.
