A sudden darkness descended on the city this afternoon and unexpected showers threw normal life out of gear and affected vehicular traffic at its peak hour.
People caught in the unusual weather conditions ran helter-skelter as sign boards and hoardings swayed precariously due to gusty winds.
Vehicular traffic in the main business area around bustling Hazratganj came to a halt due to traffic snarls caused by commuters returning home from offices and shoppers who usually throng the market selling fashionable items.
Adding to the woes of the people, electricity supply went off and even street lights that were switched on at around 4 pm, too went out.
The sudden showers instantly brought down the temperature in the city and its neighbourhood after an unusually warm spell during this time of the year.
The MeT Department has attributed the change in weather to cyclonic circulations over eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh and western disturbances in the hilly areas.
