Overview
- The National Disaster Management Authority put the Cell Broadcast service on hold starting June 12 after competent authorities flagged issues and issued an advisory to pause the system.
- Phones in Delhi-NCR, including Noida and Ghaziabad, received multiple loud weather alerts in the days before the suspension, which prompted public alarm and operational scrutiny.
- A report in The Hindu, cited by other outlets, says an unconfirmed disaster alert may have been sent to the Prime Minister’s contact at midnight and that claim is part of ongoing inquiries.
- Officials say the pause is precautionary while inter-agency technical and procedural reviews are carried out and they will announce restoration plans only after NDMA directions.
- Cell Broadcast sends geo-targeted, priority pop-up messages that can override silent modes to reach many phones at once; the system was launched nationwide in May to speed disaster warnings but the suspension raises questions about safeguards and public trust.