‘Extremely severe alerts’ as emergency system tested

NEW DELHI: India on Friday tested its first indigenously made emergency alert system on mobile phones, triggering a sharp beeping sound, vibrations, and a warning message for a few seconds across parts of the country.

The alert left many people confused, with some initially mistaking it for a fire alarm or a technical glitch. However, on reading the message, users realised it was part of a government test. The alert read: “Alert citizens, safe nation. No action is required by the public upon receipt of this message.”