'Severe' Emergency alert notifications flash on people's phones, here's what it means

Digital Desk: Recently, India tested its emergency alert system by sending a test flash alert to many smartphones on Thursday. The users' phones reportedly beeped loudly and flashed "Emergency alert: severe". 

The flash Alert message read, "This is a SAMPLE TESTING MESSAGE sent through Cell Broadcasting System (CBS) by the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India. Please ignore this message, as no action is required from your end..."

Read the notification here-

The notification flashed on all Android devices at 1:35 PM on Thursday.

According to the Cell Broadcasting System by the Department of Telecommunication, such tests will occasionally be conducted in various regions to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the emergency warning broadcast capabilities of mobile operators and cell broadcast systems.

The National Disaster Management Authority and the government are collaborating to improve preparedness for disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, and flash floods.

Phone users in India received a similar test message on July 20.