If your phone just rang with an alert message about the thunderstorm today, you are not alone in getting that. The message has been sent to everyone across the Delhi NCR region, and it comes straight from the Government of India. Just a few days back, it was reported that the government was testing the same alert system by sending a test message. So, in case you’re wondering what this message actually means and how it works, here is a simple breakdown of what that alert actually says and the system that put it on your screen. Without wasting much time, let’s get right into it.
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The alert deployed by the Government of India uses cell broadcasting technology. It is a one-to-many transmission system built into mobile networks that pushes messages to every active device in a geographic cell, without needing your phone number or an internet connection. Since it is a critical alert, it can bypass all sorts of restrictions like Do Not Disturb or Silent mode.
It is activated whenever the India Meteorological Department (IMD) flags a severe weather event for a district. The alert is pushed to base stations covering that area and broadcast simultaneously to all connected phones.
Now, coming to what the message actually means? Well, the message has been delivered in Hindi, and when translated, it reads, “In the next 3 hours, there is a likelihood of thunderstorms with lightning, strong winds (speeds of 60–80 km/h, possibly gusting up to 90 km/h), and moderate to heavy rain with hailstorms at some locations in your district.”
The alert is classified as “extremely severe”, which is the highest tier in India’s colour-coded weather warning system run by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Given the seriousness of the message, it should be noted that this is not a general advisory, but rather it is an active warning for your specific district.
As the message reads that there are chances of strong winds and lightning, it’s best to stay indoors and stay away from windows. Along with that, it’s also important to avoid open ground, tall trees, and metal structures because of the lightning warning. In case you’re driving, it’s best to pull over safely and wait out the storm.
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