India Launches ‘SACHET’ Emergency Warning System for Disaster Alerts

The emergency alert received on mobile phones across the country on Saturday was part of a nationwide test exercise and not linked to any real threat, officials clarified. The Central Government conducted this drill to roll out its indigenous cell broadcast-based warning system designed to deliver rapid alerts during emergencies. The platform, named ‘SACHET,’ has been launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The system aims to provide timely information to citizens during natural disasters and other emergency situations. During the test, users received a notification titled “Extremely Severe Alert,” which clearly mentioned that it was only a test message. A key feature of this technology is that the alert appears directly on the mobile screen, even if the device is on silent mode or set to ‘Do Not Disturb.’ It is accompanied by a distinct alarm tone to immediately capture users’ attention. According to officials, the system will be used to issue warnings for natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and lightning strikes, as well as emergencies caused by human factors like gas leaks. The new system is significantly faster than traditional SMS-based alerts and can function effectively even during network congestion. Experts believe that this initiative will greatly enhance the country’s disaster management capabilities and ensure quicker dissemination of critical information to the public.