Pilot test of Common Alert Protocol Platform successfully held in Himachal; Alerts were received on over 58,000 cellphones

Shimla, July 30: For the dissemination of early warning and other emergency alert messages for disaster preparedness, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday completed the successful pilot test of a new system called Common Alert Protocol (CAP) in Himachal Pradesh. 

The test messages about rainfall forecast were developed and sent to selected areas of three districts i.e. Sirmaur, Kangra and Kinnaur. An earthquake preparedness message of Drop, Cover and Hold exercise was also disseminated in Chhotta Shimla area through the CAP platform.

Notably, the pilot testing was successfully done from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) located at Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, Shimla. The alerts were received on more than 58,000 Reliance, JIO and BSNL subscribers in the areas of three districts and Shimla Secretariat during the pilot testing.

The Common Alert Protocol (CAP) has been developed by the NDMA and department of Telecommunications for target based early warning and alert system. A.K. Sanghi, a Joint Secretary (Mitigation) from NDMA personally supervised the pilot testing from SEOC, Shimla. On behalf of the Disaster Management Cell, Special Secretary (Revenue-DM) D.C.Rana coordinated the process of testing the Common Alert Protocol in the State.