The India will conduct its first test of a new emergency alert service on Sunday, with millions of mobile phones set to emit a loud alarm and vibrate at 10:20AM.
The national system, modelled on similar schemes in Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States, aims to warn the public if there is a danger to life nearby but has generated criticism over “what happened” intrusion.
A message will say: “The test alert from department of telecommunication. Government of India. 20-07-2023 10.20AM
Emergency services and the government hope to use the system to alert people to issues such as severe flooding and fires.
The 10-second alarm, which will sound even if phones are on silent, is expected to disrupt entertainment and sporting events, including Premier League football matches.