An "emergency alert: severe" on your phone is a notification sent by government authorities through a cell broadcast system to warn you about a serious threat to life, health, or property in your area. This alert is designed to reach as many people as possible quickly and may be accompanied by a loud siren-like sound and vibration, even if your phone is on silent. The message typically provides information about the emergency and instructions on what actions to take to stay safe

. In India, for example, such alerts have been tested by the Department of Telecommunication and the National Disaster Management Authority to ensure the system works effectively during real emergencies like earthquakes, tsunamis, or flash floods. These test alerts are clearly marked as samples and do not require any action from recipients

. Emergency alerts work by sending text messages that take priority on your phone, overriding other notifications. They are sent to all compatible mobile devices that are switched on and connected to the network within a defined geographical area. On smartphones, you can usually find previous emergency alerts in the notification settings or emergency alert section, depending on your device type

. In summary, an "emergency alert: severe" on your phone is a critical safety message from government authorities warning you of a severe emergency nearby, prompting you to take immediate precautions as advised in the alert