Muscat – To ensure weather alerts reach people as quickly as possible, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – in cooperation with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) – launched an early warning broadcast service for weather conditions via mobile phones on Wednesday.

With the new service, citizens and residents will be warned about inclement weather conditions through messages.

A video issued by TRA said, ‘The service will send a warning message to subscribers’ phones in a particular area using mobile communications networks to alert about emergencies, which is in line with international standards.’

These customised messages will have a distinctive tone when delivered.

‘An emergency can occur at any time, therefore you should be attentive to any weather alert on your phone to protect yourself and your family in a time of crisis,’ CAA stated.

The most important feature of the service is that the messages are automatic and supported by all generations of devices, including 5G.

‘All phones in Oman should be able to receive the warning messages in all modes – including silent mode – and several consecutively,’ TRA stated.

More information on the service is available at https://bit.ly/3SUPASx

Earlier this year, CAA launched a programme called ‘Muzn’ aimed at developing alerts, meteorological services, early warning and improve systems and devices in the National Multi Hazard Early Warning System.

Oman launched the National Multi Hazard Early Warning System in 2015, implemented with the technical support of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of Unesco, designed to respond to natural hazards, including tsunamis, cyclones and flash floods.