GUWAHATI: The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) is set to implement the Cell Broadcast System (CBS), a next-generation public warning platform developed by the Government of India to deliver emergency alerts directly to mobile phones during disasters.
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The system, which became operational across Assam this month, was launched nationally on May 2, 2026. Developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, CBS enables authorities to send instant, location-specific alerts to all mobile users within a designated geographical area.
According to ASDMA, the system has already been deployed across the country and has demonstrated its effectiveness during real disaster situations in several states. However, Assam was excluded from the nationwide test conducted on May 2 due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct at the time.
The Government of Assam is now preparing to implement the system statewide as per directives from the Centre.
The Cell Broadcast System is designed to disseminate critical and time-sensitive warnings related to impending disasters. Unlike conventional SMS-based alerts, CBS messages are transmitted simultaneously to all mobile devices in a targeted area, regardless of whether the recipients are residents or visitors.
As part of the implementation process, residents may begin receiving test or emergency alerts on their mobile phones. These notifications are highly noticeable and trigger a loud alarm tone, vibration, and a pop-up message that can last for around 30 seconds. On supported devices, the message may also be read aloud.
ASDMA has urged citizens not to panic upon receiving such alerts, emphasizing that they are official messages issued only by authorized government agencies during genuine emergencies. The alerts may be used to warn people about severe weather events such as storms, heavy rainfall, lightning, cyclones, floods, flash floods, as well as other emergencies like gas leaks.
Officials highlighted that the CBS platform is significantly more reliable than traditional SMS alerts because it remains functional even during network congestion. The system is capable of reaching all mobile users in a specified area, including those who are roaming, and supports multiple languages across 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks.
ASDMA has also appealed to the public to spread awareness about the new alert mechanism among family members, particularly elderly citizens and people living in remote areas, to ensure that everyone understands the purpose and significance of the notifications.