Bhubaneswar: The Department of Telecommunications, Odisha LSA in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday successfully completed the cell broadcast alert system testing in the State.
The testing was conducted under the guidance of Pandey Vijaya Bhusan Prasad, DDG (T), Odisha LSA in presence of representative from State Disaster Management Authority, Govt. of Odisha, Telecom Service Providers and other representatives from industry. This testing indicates a significant step towards enhancing emergency communication during disasters, ensuring the safety and well-being of our valued citizens.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to the safety of the people, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Odisha LSA conducted tests of the Cell Broadcast Alert System on the network of each Telecom Service Provider in entire state of Odisha. These tests were carried out to gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency alert broadcasting capability of the system, involving various Mobile Operators,” said the officials.
The Cell Broadcast Alert System is a state-of-the-art technology that allows critical and time-sensitive messages for disaster management to be sent to all mobile devices within a designated geographical area. This system is designed to reach both residents and visitors, ensuring that vital emergency information reaches as many people as possible in a timely manner. It is widely utilized by government agencies and emergency services to inform the public about potential threats and to keep them informed during critical situations, such as severe weather warnings (e.g., Tsunami, Flash Flood and Earthquake), public safety messages, evacuation notices, and other critical information.
During the testing period, people may have received simulated emergency alerts on their mobile devices. We wish to emphasize that these alerts were part of the planned testing process and did not indicate an actual emergency. Each test alert clearly indicated that it was a Test Message to avoid any confusion among the recipients.
The Department of Telecommunications wishes to extend its gratitude to all C-DoT, SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) participating Telecom Service Providers and Cell Broadcast System providers for their cooperation and support in making this testing event a success. These tests will not only help us refine and improve the Cell Broadcast Alert System but also enhance our ability to provide crucial information to the public during emergencies.