Pallavi Sharma
Dharamshala: Weather uncertainty continues to hover over the high-voltage T20 international between India and South Africa scheduled for Sunday (December 14, 2025) at the HPCA stadium, with cloudy skies and the possibility of light rain during match hours. The latest forecast suggests that conditions in and around Dharamshala may remain overcast, raising concerns about possible interruptions.
Both teams reached Dharamshala on Friday and have begun preparations amid considerable buzz. Cricket enthusiasts have shown massive interest in the match, with long queues witnessed at ticket counters as fans wait for hours to secure entry. However, the changing weather has dampened spirits to some extent.
HPCA prepared for rain disruptions
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has assured that all necessary arrangements are in place to handle any weather-related challenges. Besides full ground covers, high-capacity super soppers have been kept ready to quickly dry the playing surface and outfield in the event of rainfall.
Cloud cover prevailed across Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, with Shimla, Dharamshala and several other regions witnessing light clouds. A drop in temperatures is expected under these conditions. According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, fog is likely in parts of Mandi, Bilaspur and Una districts.
Weather pattern takes a turn across Himachal
Visibility was severely affected due to dense fog in Bilaspur, dropping to around 100 metres, disrupting traffic movement. In Mandi, fog reduced visibility to nearly 600 metres. In terms of temperature, Tabo recorded a sharp decline of 2.2 degrees in minimum temperature, while most other stations saw a marginal rise of 1 to 2 degrees.
Night temperatures in Shimla and Paonta Sahib remained relatively milder compared to the plains, with minimum temperatures hovering around 10 degrees Celsius. Neri recorded a minimum of 11.2 degrees Celsius, while Shimla, Nahan and Paonta Sahib each logged 10 degrees. In contrast, several plain areas recorded minimum temperatures ranging between three and six degrees. Notably, Shimla’s minimum temperature is currently 4.3 degrees above the seasonal average.
Meanwhile, senior scientist Surender Kumar from the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, said that an active western disturbance could trigger light snowfall in higher reaches, particularly in Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kullu and the Dhauladhar ranges of Kangra district. Under its influence, Dharamshala may experience brief spells of drizzle during the match.
