A number of mobile users in Karnataka were startled by alarming messages appearing on their phones.
These messages, which bore the label “Emergency Alert: Severe,” were dispatched to mobile devices across the state including Bengaluru. The message appeared on the phone screen, regardless of the application being used, and was accompanied by a persistent beeping sound that ceased only after pressing the OK button.
These messages served as emergency alerts, and it was disclosed that they were part of a third test conducted by the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India, on October 12, 2023.
A few users mentioned that when their phones were on silent mode, they didn’t hear the loud sound but could still observe the flashing message.
The message’s content was straightforward, “This is a SAMPLE TESTING MESSAGE sent through Cell Broadcasting System by Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. Please ignore this message as no action is required from your end. This message has been sent to TEST Pan-India Emergency Alert System being implemented by National Disaster Management Authority. It aims to enhance public safety and provide timely alerts during emergencies,” the notification stated along with the date and time it was issued.
Received emergency alert on my phone today 🚨🆘 . This is just a test message #emergencyalert pic.twitter.com/dESFTYYQLm
How many times will you send these emergency 🚨 text? Got second one at 12.13 pm 🥲 #emergencyalert
Second test message at 12.24 pm 🚨🆘 #emergency #emergencyalert pic.twitter.com/ButEfKTbJX
Who else is getting emergency Alert 🚨 Sounds scary #EmergencyAlert pic.twitter.com/rJ8uc8ikul
The office sounded like an ambulance for ten seconds 😬#EmergencyAlert pic.twitter.com/Dmk9zm6bAs
Social media lit up as netizens transformed these emergency alerts into hilarious memes.
Know All About The Emergency Flash Message Sent By The Indian Government
Skeptic people after getting #EmergencyAlert test message. pic.twitter.com/HfpmWmsqf3
Me after getting back to back emergency alert:#EmergencyAlert pic.twitter.com/5mM6D86u61
For the unversed, the government collaborated with mobile service providers to execute this trial, aiming to evaluate the functionality of the emergency alert system. This system is designed to disseminate urgent warnings to mobile device users in the event of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other major emergencies.
Press release: Government of India
Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications on Cell Broadcast Alert System testing by DoT. pic.twitter.com/734pt3ihwM
The government previously conducted two trials of the emergency alert system in 2023, one in July and another in August. The messages in these trials were also marked “Emergency Alert: Severe” and featured accompanying beeping sounds. However, the first trial message had a more limited distribution compared to the second trial message.