Goa, May 2 -- India tested a new disaster alert system on Saturday morning, sending a loud "Extremely severe alert" message to mobile phones across the country. The test message, starting with the words "Extremely severe alert", read: "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." The alert was part of nationwide trials for a mobile‑based disaster warning system being rolled out by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The service uses Cell Broadca...