DHARAMSALA: In an unexpected turn for early May, Dharamsala and its surrounding areas are experiencing unseasonably cold and wet weather. Thick black clouds have settled over the region, and persistent drizzle has brought daytime temperatures down to a chilly 16–20°C. Snowfall has also been reported in the upper reaches of the Dhauladhar range, which forms the scenic backdrop of this Himalayan hill station.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meteorological Centre, Shimla, has forecast a prolonged spell of wet weather and increased thunderstorm activity across Himachal Pradesh through May 8. The advisory warns of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 km/h, with speeds potentially reaching up to 60 km/h. The districts include Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, and Kinnaur.
This unseasonal weather has cast a shadow over the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 matches scheduled at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala. The stadium is set to host three key home games for the Punjab Kings (PBKS), who are currently among the top four teams in the tournament.
Scheduled Matches at HPCA Stadium:
May 4: Punjab Kings vs Lucknow SuperGiants, 7:30 PM IST
May 8: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, 7:30 PM IST
May 11: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, 3:30 PM IST
With playoff hopes hanging in the balance, these fixtures are critical for the Punjab Kings. However, unpredictable weather could play a decisive role in the outcome.
Weather Outlook for Match Days:
May 4 (Sunday): Partly cloudy, high of 25°C, low of 15°C. Light rain possible, potentially disrupting play.
May 8 (Thursday): Clear skies expected, temperatures between 26°C and 15°C. Ideal conditions for cricket.
May 11 (Sunday): Rain likely, with daytime temperatures around 26°C, dropping to 16°C at night. Rain delays or interruptions are possible.
The cool and damp conditions may also affect pitch behavior at the HPCA Stadium, which traditionally offers assistance to pace bowlers. Seamers could benefit from increased movement off the surface, potentially influencing team strategies.
Punjab Kings have a strong connection with Dharamsala, having played several matches at this scenic venue. With strong local support and high stakes, all eyes will be on both the team’s performance and the skies as this crucial home stretch unfolds.
On 20th may HPCA officials offered a special prayers at Indru Nag Dev Temple(the local rain Gad ) for the rain uninterrupted IPL matches in Dharamshala. Sanjay Sharma an official of HPCA said that if at all it rains
The stadium has a new sub-air system that can dry the ground in 15-20 minutes after rain, allowing play to resume quickly.
On the other hand Lucknow Super Giants has announced their practice session from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM IST and Punjab Kings from 6 PM - 9 PM IST today (3 rd May) in HPCA stadium .
HPCA Stadium, which is considered as one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world for its picturesque surroundings, has hosted 2 Tests, 9 One Day Internationals, 10 T20 Internationals and 13 Indian Premier League matches. Out of these 13 IPL matches played so far in HPCA Stadium Teams Batting 1st has Won 8 and Batting 2nd has Won matches 5.