Now days smart phones are very affordable, common to people and used in many applications. Thus, implementation of a dedicated mobile app for EEW systems is perhaps the best option that can save lot of money and time to achieve dissemination of earthquake early warning (EEW). This paper presents details of development of a smart phone app for android and iOS operating systems for EEW System currently operational in Uttarakhand, India. This app is freely available on Play Store and App Store with the name of “Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert”. This app uses Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) service for sending earthquake early warning to users. User needs to install the app in their smart phones for receiving early warnings. User’s basic information along with FCM token is saved at the developed warning server in a database during the user registration process, which is being shared with the disaster response authority in case of earthquake to rescue the users if they are stuck. Our app also contains information about the steps needed to be followed on occurrence of an earthquake as well as how to make and find safe places in your house for hiding during occurrence of earthquake.

Himalaya is one of the most seismically active and earthquake-prone regions of the world. Recently an Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) for Northern India has been developed which includes around 165 strong ground motion accelerometers installed in Uttarakhand (India). A timely earthquake early warning of few seconds can save people’s lives and thus the development of an improved Warning Dissemination System (WDS) component of EEWS is much required. For this purpose, an improved WDS has been developed. This system currently uses newly designed low-cost public sirens and smartphone apps to alert people in case of an earthquake. The developed sirens have been currently installed in two major cities of Uttarakhand (India) and in all district emergency operations centers for the last 2 years. On 4th August 2021, the newly developed app “Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert” for WDS has been officially launched by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority for operational use. Further, a GIS-based maintenance system is also developed for the maintenance of the complete system, which automatically checks the health and keeps records of the sirens along with the smartphone users. This app gives the facility to the users for sharing their current location with disaster rescue teams after the earthquake early warning alert. Detailed scientific principles and working mechanism of newly developed dissemination system along with its applicability to disseminate the real-time information in case of an earthquake will be presented.