SRINAGAR, May 2: Mobile phone users in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday received an emergency alert on their cellphones with a loud beep as India tested its nationwide emergency alert system, officials said.
Mobile phone users in the Union territory were surprised on Saturday morning as their phones buzzed loudly and received a flash message, the officials said.
They said the alert, sent out at 11.42 am, was a part of the emergency alert system testing.
“This is part of the testing of the Emergency Alert System, so that accurate information can be received on time during disasters,” they said.
They said this message may appear repeatedly and asked people to not do anything.
“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 flash message read.
Mehraj Ahmad, a mobile phone user here, expressed surprise when his phone made a loud beep.
“I was surprised when the message came. I did not know about it. I was startled when my phone made a loud noise. Then I read the message and understood,” Ahmad said.
He said it was a good move to alert people if there was any eventuality. The government had already warned that they would be conducting trials of mobile-based disaster alert systems across the country, urging citizens to ignore the test messages.
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