New Delhi: Today, mobile phone users across Kerala will receive an unusual notification (sms), but there’s no need for panic. The Department of Telecom and Communication has confirmed that it is part of an ongoing experiment related to an emergency alert system.
This experiment is centred on the cell broadcasting system, a programme designed to provide emergency notifications through mobile phones in anticipation of natural disasters and other critical situations. These emergency alerts are expected to be fully operational for the public in October.
The Common Alerting Protocol project, overseen by the National Disaster Management Authority, is spearheading this initiative. While mobile phones are a key component, similar alerts will also be disseminated via radio, television, and social media.
