Several people on Thursday received an "Emergency Alert - Severe" notification on their mobile phones.
Not knowing what it was about, panicked citizens took to Twitter to know more about it.
"This is a SAMPLE TESTING MESSAGE sent through Cell Broadcasting System by Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. Please ignore this message as no action is required from your end. This message has been sent to TEST Pan-India Emergency Alert System being implemented by National Disaster Management Authority. It aims to enhance public safety and provide timely alerts during emergencies," the notification stated along with the date and time it was issued.

"This is a SAMPLE TESTING MESSAGE sent through Cell Broadcasting System by Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. Please ignore this message as no action is required from your end. This message has been sent to TEST Pan-India Emergency Alert System being… pic.twitter.com/R4F4pSUi3A
August 17, 2023This Sample Emergency Alert received just now.. Anyone else also received such an alert. It came with a vibration and a Siren 🚨 sound. pic.twitter.com/sSd8KSSGok
August 17, 2023Just received ...a Sample Emergency Alert.. came with a vibration n a loud Siren sound....
August 17, 2023
SCARED me at first🤦🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/0Ge9ikx8kxThis emergency alert message flashed twice on my phone's screen. Is it legit or has my phone been hacked?@DoT_India pic.twitter.com/9RVmsd5FMd
August 17, 2023'These tests will be performed from time to time in various regions across country to gauge the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency alert broadcasting capabilities of the systems in place, of various Mobile Operators and Cell Broadcast Systems, the Cell Broadcasting System' by Department of Telecommunication said.
Phone users across India had received a similar test alert on July 20 this year as well.
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