The city was immersed in darkness due to the blackout that happened at 8 pm late at night after the mock drill as per the pre-scheduled program during the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor operation against Pakistan. The administration had called for a 15-minute blackout in the entire district. The electricity department’s full cooperation was also taken in this and people also completely switched off the lights of their houses and shops, but vehicles continued to run on the roads. There was a traffic jam due to the blackout at Shiv Chowk as well as darkness.

On the instructions of the administration, darkness was created in every village and town from the urban area as soon as it was eight o’clock. ADM Administration Narendra Bahadur Singh had reached Shiv Chowk in the city with other officials before eight o’clock and the force was also alert regarding the arrangements during the blackout. Street lights were switched off but its effect on the drivers was less.