NEW DELHI. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will launch a new nationwide mobile-based disaster communication system on May 2, 2026. Developed by the Department of Telecommunications and the NDMA, the system uses the SACHET platform to deliver real-time emergency alerts to citizens during natural disasters. This initiative builds on the existing SMS-based network which has already sent over 134 billion alerts in 19 languages to keep the public informed and safe.
The upgraded system now features Cell Broadcast technology, which allows instant alerts to be sent to all mobile devices in a specific area simultaneously, making it faster than traditional messaging for urgent events like earthquakes or tsunamis. As part of the launch, the government will conduct nationwide tests, and residents in major cities may receive practice messages in various languages. The Ministry has advised the public not to panic during these tests, as they are essential for strengthening India’s disaster preparedness and early warning capabilities.
