Did you receive an emergency alert on your phone today? Here’s what it means

India today tested its emergency alert system by sending a flash test to several smartphones. Users heard a loud beep on their phone as well as an “emergency alert: serious” flash.

“This is a SAMPLE TEST MESSAGE sent over the cellular broadcast system by the Ministry of Telecommunications, Government of India. Please ignore this message as no action is required on your part. This message has been sent to TEST Pan-India emergency alert system being implemented by National Disaster Management Authority. It aims to enhance public safety and provide timely alerts in case of emergency,” it reads in the flash message.

The message arrived on all Android phones at 12:19 p.m. today.

Such tests will be carried out from time to time in different regions to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency alert broadcast capabilities of mobile operators and cell broadcast systems, the ministry’s cell broadcast system said Telecommunications.

The government is working with the National Disaster Management Authority to be better prepared for disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and flash floods.

Phone users in India received similar test alerts on July 20 and August 17.