India's emergency alert system suspended temporarily? NDMA issues advisory

The National Disaster Management Authority issues an advisory temporarily suspending the emergency alert warning notification, officially known as the cell broadcast system (CBS). According to the advisory, the communication system will not be in effect until further notice, according to ANI report.

What is CBS? Why has it been suspended?

Cell Broadcast System is a public warning system used to broadcast emergency alerts and disaster-related information to mobile users across affected regions. As per the advisory, officials have not stated any reason behind the action; however, it has been indicated that necessary technical and procedural reasons may be underway in coordination with relevant agencies.

This alert system was part of the integrated alert system (SACHET), which was based on the globally accepted Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and is operational across 36 states and union territories.

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Officials added that updates regarding the restoration of the service will be announced in due course, depending on further directions from the NDMA, as the suspension is temporary.

Recent emergency alert

On Thursday, June 11, India received emergency alert messages on their phones regarding "severe thunderstorms" (with wind speed 70-90 KMph, gusting to 100 kmph or more ) with lightning and moderate to intense spell of rain and hail very likely to occur at a few places over Agra, Aligarh, among other regions in next 3 hours"

Reducing traditional technology

According to the Ministry of Communications, CBS conducts near-real-time, geo-targeted alerts to reach millions of users instantly, ensuring that no one in the affected area is left out during critical circumstances. It stated that the limitations of tradional SMS based alert systems were that they often get delayed or disrupted due to highly congested networks. Officials also said that the alerts are delivered as priority pop-up notifications on mobile screens, accompanied by loud alert tones.

When was the Cell Broadcast system launched?

The Cell Broadcast system was launched in the month of May, 2026 by the Central Government, which said it was a significant upgrade to the country's disaster warning and emergency communication infrastructure, aimed at enabling near-real-time, geo-targeted warnings to mobile devices across the nation.

The system was inaugurated by the Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who stated that this initiative was a major step in strengthening India's disaster framework. He also stated that the launch reflects a clear shift from reactive to proactive methods

"Cell Broadcast System marks a transformative step in India's disaster management framework, reflecting our shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in safeguarding citizens," Scindia stated earlier at the launch event.

The Cell Broadcast System has been developed indigenously by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in close collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs.