Mumbai, April 30 -- The key equity barometers traded with major cuts in the afternoon trade, amid heightened volatility triggered by exit poll predictions for state elections. Investor sentiment deteriorated further as oil prices surged to historic highs and the rupee weakened to a record low. Continued selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) added to the downward pressure, while the monthly Sensex derivatives expiry amplified market volatility. The Nifty slipped below the 24,000 level.

At 13:30 ST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex dropped 628.19 points or 0.81% to 76,868.17. The Nifty 50 index plunged 204.50 points or 0.82% to 23,979.55.

In the broader market, the BSE 150 MidCap Index tumbled 1.49% and the BSE 250 Smal...