Imagine being able to get critical information during a disaster, even if you're not checking your phone. That's what the Indian government just launched - a system that sends emergency alerts directly to your mobile device. The first test of this system went off on Saturday, and you might have gotten a message saying it was an "Extremely Severe Alert". But don't worry, it was just a test, and no action was required.

The system is called Cell Broadcast, and it's designed to work even when you don't have an internet connection or have your phone on silent mode. The idea is to get you the information you need during a disaster, no matter what. This is especially useful during natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and cyclones, where every second counts.

So, how does it work? The system uses a platform called SACHET, which was developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) in collaboration with the international Common Alerting Protocol. It's been tested in 19 Indian languages and has sent over 134 billion SMS alerts so far. That's a lot of messages!

The Cell Broadcast technology is a significant upgrade over traditional SMS alerts. It can override your phone settings, making sure you hear the alert even if your phone is on silent mode. This system is also designed to be inclusive, reaching people across all mobile handsets, regardless of individual settings. Once it's fully operational, it'll be a game-changer for disaster management in India.

The Indian government is excited about this new system, and it's been launched with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia were involved in the launch. This is a big step forward in disaster management, and we're eager to see how it's going to make a difference.