Cell broadcasting alert system tested in U’khand

Dehradun: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), along with C-DOT, on Saturday successfully tested a nationwide alert through the cell broadcasting system at 11.46 am, including in Uttarakhand.The state had been pushing the Centre for early rollout of the technology. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami thanked Union home minister Amit Shah, telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and NDMA officials for the initiative.The technology delivers swift, location-specific disaster alerts and enables authorities to simultaneously send warning messages to mobile users within a defined geographical area.Earlier, the first trial of the system was conducted in the state after Dhami urged the Centre to implement it ahead of the monsoon season. Based on the trial, the state shared technical and operational feedback with NDMA and C-DOT.Dhami said the technology would be “extremely useful” and a “boon” for a disaster-prone state like Uttarakhand, adding that it would be widely used during the Char Dham Yatra and monsoon season to ensure timely alerts for pilgrims and residents.Disaster management and rehabilitation secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said that, in the event of a disaster, all mobile users within the range of active towers in the affected area will automatically receive alerts through the system.He added that the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has completed preparations for issuing alerts using the technology.