SACHET Alert System

Context

This is a big advance in the horizons of emergency preparedness, public protection and climate resilience, targeting a successful test of their indigenous Cell Broadcast-based emergency alert system under the umbrella SACHET platform.

Key Highlights

• India has made an important step to bolster its disaster management system by successfully conducting a test of its indigenous Cell Broadcast (CB) system of sending emergency alerts over the air within the SACHET platform. 
• It is a next-generation system of providing the public with instant alerts, primarily during natural disasters, industrial accidents, or national emergencies.
• As the frequency of floods, cyclones, heatwaves and earthquakes is increasing due to climate change, the need to have a fast and reliable communication system has never been higher. In this regard, the introduction of Cell Broadcast technology is well-timed and transformative.

What is Cell Broadcast Technology?

• Cell Broadcast is a one-to-many type of communication technology.
• It enables the authorities to send messages to all mobile phones in a given geographical location at the same time.
• It does not involve the use of individual phone numbers in contrast to SMS.
• Alerts are sent immediately via cell towers that are in the vicinity.
• The messages will be presented in the form of a full-screen notification with a peculiar sound and vibrations.
• This renders the technology very useful in case of any form of emergency where every second counts.

How Does It Work?

• One message is also sent at a mobile tower.
• The alert is sent to all devices that are linked to that tower.
• It does not add congestion to the networks, thus a close real-time delivery is ensured.
• The system is functional even when the number of users who are affected by the affected zone is in the millions.
• Alerts may be geo-targeted, multilingual, and very localized.
• This ability renders Cell Broadcast much better compared to the old-fashioned warning systems which rely on SMS.

Why is it best to SMS?

• SMS is a one-to-one form of communication that can be postponed when using a network that is too busy.
• Cell Broadcast is a one-to-many system that allows immediate mass communication.
• It is not tied to phone numbers or the registration of users.
• It also maintains privacy because it does not require any personal information.
• Alerts work with silent mode, Do-Not-Disturb settings, and even live phone conversations.
• Therefore, Cell Broadcast makes sure that there is no way that emergency warnings would be missed.

Significance for India

• India is very prone to the occurrence of cyclones, floods, earthquakes, landslides, and heat waves.
• The high rate of urbanisation and population density augments the threat of disasters.
• Early warning will help to save lives, property and important infrastructure.
• The system promotes the objectives of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• It reinforces the devotion of India to the UN program “Early Warnings to All.
• This technology will be especially useful in the coastal and Himalayan ranges and riverine regions, which are the locations where disasters often occur.

SACHET and Indigenous Innovation Role

• SACHET is India’s Integrated Alert System.
• The Centre of Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has developed it.
• It works in co-ordination of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• The platform is already in support of SMS notifications in more than 19 languages in India.
• The number of alerts issued so far amounts to more than 134 billion alerts.
• The introduction of Cell Broadcast increases India’s self-sufficiency in the provision of critical communication infrastructure.

Global Best Practices

• The J-Alert system is employed in Japan, which deals with earthquakes and tsunamis.
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) operate in the United States.
• EU-Alert systems have been implemented by European countries.
• Other similar technologies are also used by countries such as South Korea, Singapore, Canada and New Zealand.
• The adoption of India is in line with the international best practices in communication about public safety.

Key Challenges

• At the compatibility level, it is important to make sure that all mobile devices are compatible.
• Creation of awareness among the people regarding emergency alerts.
• To prevent misuse or overuse of the system.
• Bringing alerts together with the local disaster response systems.

Way Forward

• Periodically hold nationwide drills, which are no longer exercises.
• Enhance the multilingual and regionally specific alert system.
• Combine with weather, earthquake and flood prediction systems.
• Put in place transparent guidelines on the effective and timely dissemination.
• Marketing- encourage community awareness efforts to respond well.

Conclusion

• The Cell Broadcast system of India is one of the significant steps forward in the area of disaster risk management and rapid communication during disasters. 
• With a combination of local technology, real-time delivery, and extensive coverage, SACHET would have saved the lives of several million. 
• With the increasing impacts of climate-related disasters, these resilient communication systems will be at the center of protecting lives, enhancing governance, and creating a disaster-resilient India.

Source: The Indian Express

Mains PYQ

Q. Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. (2021)

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