India’s early warning system: A case study

• Feb 26, 2025
• 2 min

MSC analyzed India’s SACHET early warning system (EWS) to identify best practices for disaster risk reduction. The study explored mobile network operators’ (MNOs) role in EWS deployment and highlighted scalable digital solutions to enhance global disaster preparedness. Commissioned by GSMA.

Over the past half-century, the frequency and impact of natural disasters worldwide have increased fivefold due to climate change’s worsening effects. As communities worldwide grapple with escalating risks, the importance of effective early warning systems (EWS) has become more pronounced. 

Despite its proven benefits, one-third of the global population remains uncovered by effective EWS, which leaves billions of people vulnerable. In this context, India’s national disaster alert system, SACHET, offers a compelling case study on how a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-enabled EWS can be scaled and integrated across diverse communication channels and government levels. SACHET is recognized globally for its effectiveness.

MSC studied India’s integration of location-based short messaging service (LB-SMS) into its early warning system (EWS) to identify best practices to create tailored, locally relevant, and inclusive systems for disaster risk reduction. The objective was to identify best practices to help other countries develop and implement effective EWS, aligned with the UN’s Early Warning for All (EW4A) initiative.

MSC undertook the following exercises for our study:

• We highlighted SACHET as a blueprint of best practices that can be expanded in other countries; 
• We evaluated the role of mobile network operators (MNOs) in disaster communication to document best practices in the industry. We undertook this evaluation through secondary research, stakeholder interviews, and a validation workshop with key organizations.

We launched a report that documented best practices and lessons learned from India’s EWS approach. We also organized a roundtable discussion with government officials, civil society, and industry players to explore mobile technology’s role in the expansion of EWS via cell broadcasting and other digital solutions.

GSMA’s Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation team commissioned the project.