NEW DELHI,May 07, 2026- In a revolutionary development to amplify India’s disaster preparedness, the Government of India officially deployed a nationwide mobile-based disaster communication system led by the Department of Communications and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The system was implemented following a proposal by Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ashok Mittal during a Consultative Committee Meeting with the honorable Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah.
This disaster communication system leverages the System for Alerting, Communicating, and Handling Emergency Techniques (SACHET) platform with cutting-edge Cell Broadcast technology to deliver instant, location-specific warnings to citizens for disasters such as floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, and chemical hazards etc.
The alerts are transmitted directly to all mobile devices within the affected region, preventing network congestion during emergencies. Additionally, the system delivers disaster-related communication in regional languages to ensure maximum awareness and quicker response among local communities.
What further strengthens the platform is its integrated framework, which brings together critical data from agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (weather), the Central Water Commission (water), and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (ocean), among others. The system also serves as an extension of the SACHET portal, offering citizens a comprehensive and unified source of disaster-related information.
Backed by a 2024 report of the NDMA, Dr. Ashok Mittal highlighted the shortcomings of disaster governance in India, noting that fewer than 10% of districts had effectively adopted disaster management plans. He pointed out that Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies remained largely disconnected from the framework.
Dr. Ashok Mittal emphasized the importance of timely emergency communication, reinforcing that no citizen should be left without critical alerts and disaster-related information during times of crisis, particularly in all highly vulnerable coastal and landslide-prone areas.
Following these concerns and recommendations, the system was subsequently tested to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve coordination among agencies, and ensure timely dissemination of alerts and critical information to citizens.
“Our commitment to safety is absolute. By upgrading SACHET platform with Cell Broadcast technology, we can now send urgent, life-saving information directly to citizens instantly. I wholeheartedly commend this impactful step towards building a safer, stronger, and disaster-resilient India,” Dr. Ashok Mittal affirmed.
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