Latest news with #SACHET
India Gazette
30-06-2025
- India Gazette
NDMA, DoT collaborate to broadcast disaster alerts across country
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, has been actively enhancing mobile-enabled disaster communication systems across the country to provide timely information to citizens. NDMA has successfully operationalised the Integrated Alert System (SACHET), developed by the Centre of Development of Telematics (C-DOT), which is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This system is already operational in all 36 States and Union Territories (UTs) of India and sends various disaster or emergency-related alerts through SMS to the mobiles of citizens affected in a particular geo-targeted area. This system has been extensively used by disaster management authorities to issue over 6,899 crore SMS alerts in more than 19 Indian languages during various natural disasters, weather warnings, and cyclonic events, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Communications. To further strengthen alert dissemination in time-critical disaster situations such as tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes, and man-made emergencies like gas leaks or chemical hazards, Cell Broadcast (CB) technology is being implemented in addition to SMS. In the Cell Broadcast System, the alerts are sent to mobile phones in the affected area in a broadcast mode, and hence the dissemination of alerts happens in near real time. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier R&D centre of the Department of Telecom, has been entrusted with the indigenous development and implementation of the Cell Broadcast-based public emergency alerting system, the statement added. According to the Ministry, as part of the Pan-India rollout, testing of the CB system is being conducted to ascertain the efficacy and proper functioning of the system before it is rolled out. This testing will last for 2-4 weeks, covering the entire country. During this period, test messages in English and Hindi may be received by the public on their mobile handsets. These 'test messages' will be received only by mobile handsets that have CB test channels enabled. During the testing phase, these messages may also be received multiple times, through the test channel, to test the proper functioning of the system in the entire network of mobile towers (Base Station Trans receivers-BTS). These test messages are part of a planned nationwide testing exercise and require no action from recipients. The content of the test message will be as follows: This is a TEST Cell Broadcast message sent by the National Disaster Management Authority in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, as part of testing the Cell Broadcast solution for disseminating alerts. During the testing of the Cell Broadcast solution, you may receive this message multiple times on your mobile handset. Please ignore these messages; no action is required on your end. Once successfully tested and operationalized, the CB system will be used to disseminate alerts in multiple Indian languages across all mobile handsets, regardless of test channel settings, ensuring a wide and inclusive public reach during actual emergencies. DoT requests the co-operation of the public during this important testing phase and reiterates that all test messages during this period are purely for system validation purposes and no action is required from the recipient side. (ANI)
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
NDMA team reviews disaster preparedness
Rajamahendravaram: Joint Advisor of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Naval Prakash stated that tours are being conducted across districts as part of an initiative to closely examine and discuss the implementation of disaster-related decisions made at the central and state levels. These efforts aim to prevent loss of life or property during disasters or natural calamities. On Tuesday, a three-member NDMA team from New Delhi visited the East Godavari district Collectorate in Rajamahendravaram and held a review meeting with district officials. The discussions focused on the functioning of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the newly proposed SDMA 2025 model framework. Naval Prakash explained that the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the district-level disaster management mechanisms, analyse challenges faced during previous operations, and develop a future action plan to avoid recurring lapses. He said that the current draft proposals are based on recommended revisions to the 2005 guidelines and emphasised the importance of field-level consultation. He further mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to develop action plans tailored to local conditions to prevent casualties and damages during disasters. Prakash said that while national-level guidelines are important, only contextually suitable proposals should be implemented effectively at the local level. He also noted that under the 15th Finance Commission, there is a mandate to establish a CSR fund comprising 2% of profits from industries earning Rs 200 crore and 5% from those earning Rs 500 crore, recommending awareness and participation from relevant companies. He added that the effective implementation of disaster management frameworks and proposals at the district level plays a key role in the success of national and state-level initiatives. The draft NDMS 2025 proposals were presented to officials through a PowerPoint presentation. He called for greater public participation in disaster management and urged citizens to stay informed through the 'SACHET' mobile app. While around 15 lakh people in the district have mobile connectivity, only 526 have downloaded the app, he pointed out, recommending widespread promotion to encourage more downloads. Joint East Godavari ZP Chairman Vipparti Venugopala Rao said that necessary measures are being taken by various departments during disasters and that the state government is sending early warnings via mobile messages. He said that this process helps prevent loss of life, property, and livestock. However, he expressed concern over the recurring damage to fertile lands during floods and stressed the need for protective measures. He suggested that instead of department-wise actions, an integrated disaster response plan would be more effective. District Joint Collector S Chinna Ramudu said that DDMA meetings are held every three months and highlighted the need for funds to improve infrastructure for disaster management in newly formed districts. Officials also brought to the committee's attention the stalled construction of a bridge in the flood-prone Mulakallanka village located in the Godavari riverbed. NDMA team members-- Under Secretary Abhishek Biswas, Senior Consultant Abhinav Valya, District Revenue Officer T Sitarama Murthy, Special Deputy Collector D Bhaskar Reddy, DSP (Disaster Management) CH Peter, and officials from the Revenue, Agriculture, DRDA, Water Resources, Fire, Police, and Panchayati Raj departments participated in this meeting.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Pre-deployment of teams at vulnerable points, coordination among GHMC, Traffic Police, Water Board, SPDCL, HYDRAA must during monsoon
Flood monitoring and traffic management at the 141 known waterlogging hotspots within Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits was among the issues discussed at the monsoon preparedness meeting at the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGICCC) in Banjara Hills on Monday (May 26). Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand stressed on the pre-deployment of teams at these vulnerable points and field-level coordination among GHMC, Traffic Police, Water Board, Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (TGSPDCL), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and volunteer groups to ensure quick response during downpours. To facilitate seamless coordination, he called for optimal use of TGICCC's advanced monitoring and communication systems. He urged all departments to anticipate challenges proactively rather than reacting to crises after they unfold. The session also reviewed measures for uninterrupted power supply during storms, diverting floodwater to nalas, and responding to seasonal disease outbreaks. The structural integrity of buildings was another point of concern, with officials stressing immediate identification and intervention regarding dilapidated structures. Director General of the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Y. Nagi Reddy called for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for monsoon-related emergencies. He emphasised the inclusion of all key departments, especially medical and health, to streamline responsibilities and response mechanisms. Deployment of Aapda Mitra volunteers and NGOs for emergency support and use of services like the SACHET mobile app to ensure public access to timely alerts, was also discussed.
India Today
06-05-2025
- India Today
Nationwide alert system SACHET portal: What citizens need to know
In an effort to improve disaster management and public safety, India has launched the SACHET Portal, a state-of-the-art system that provides real-time alerts during natural and man-made disasters. Developed by the Indian government, the portal was first launched in 2023 before being revised comprehensively in 2024. Developed on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) platform, the SACHET alert portal is a national platform utilised for the dispatch of warning messages to the public in various regions of the country. Spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Sachet Portal dispatches crucial alerts in the form of SMS, mobile alerts, and browser notifications, to facilitate early and widespread dissemination of crucial information. The portal delivers alerts in multiple languages and simultaneously pushes them to all media platforms, including social and digital, ensuring wide and immediate public reach. The alert system is managed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and is coordinated with major agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC), INCOIS, Forest Survey of India (FSI), and Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE). These agencies collectively provide real-time information that is then pushed as alerts through geo-intelligence. SACHET PORTAL: HOW ALERTS GET DELIVERED SMS Notifications: Sent under the title "XX-NDMAEW", the alerts are sent according to users' locations and are published in different Indian languages. Mobile App Notifications: The Sachet phone application enables on-the-go push notifications for those who subscribe from various locations. Browser Notifications: Push notifications are offered to desktop and laptop users via browser notifications, adding a second layer of timely delivery. India CAP RSS Feed: The alert will be published on the RSS feed as well, and agencies (News agencies etc.) subscribed for the RSS feed will get alerts and they can further disseminate/broadcast the warning to the public. The SACHET portal can be activated during a wide range of emergency situations, covering both natural disasters and man-made crises. WHERE AND WHEN CAN THE SACHET ALERT PORTAL BE USED? Earthquakes: Rapid alerts on seismic activity. Cyclones and storms: Warnings for coastal and inland regions. Tsunamis: Early warnings issued by ocean monitoring agencies. Forest fires: Notifications for at-risk forest zones. Industrial accidents: Alerts for chemical leaks, explosions, or fires in industrial zones. Terror attacks or major security threats: Immediate public alerts to ensure safety. Pandemics or health emergencies: Information on disease outbreaks, lockdowns, or containment zones. Riot situations: Public warnings in case of civil unrest or law and order disruption. National emergencies: Communication during nationwide crises or government-declared emergencies. It reduces confusion and delay, making it possible for citizens to prepare or respond quickly. In times of need, this technology-based portal could be instrumental in saving lives and property across India. The Sachet Portal is designed to offer equal communication on every platform in the event of natural or man-made disasters. This is especially helpful for individuals with family members across different regions of the country or for those who travel regularly. With the integration of digital technology, multilingual assistance, and inter-department coordination, the Sachet portal has emerged as a primary disaster management tool in India.
