Moscow to test alert system with birdsong

At 10:45 a.m. Moscow time on Friday, October 9, some city loudspeakers will play birdsong for one minute. Sirens and public television and radio channels will also be tested across Russia.

The Moscow Department for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Fire Safety said the test was planned. Birdsong was chosen as the audio signal to check that the loudspeakers are working.

The sound will not be played in every district or through every device. The department said only part of Moscow’s alert system would be used, so the birdsong would not be heard across the entire city.

The test is part of a nationwide alert-system drill. The Ministry of Emergency Situations said electric sirens and loudspeakers would be activated in regions, while public television and radio channels would carry an informational message.