Residents across Mumbai were left startled after mobile phones began ringing simultaneously across the city at exactly 11.42 am, sparking confusion and brief panic. The sudden alert, accompanied by a loud, unusual ringtone and a red warning notification, caught many off guard.

The message flashing on screens read: “India launches Cell Broadcast using indigenous technology for instant disaster alerting service for its citizens. Alert citizens, safe nation. No action is required by the public upon receipt of this message. This is a test message. – Government of India.”