Srinagar, April 30 (IANS): The Kashmir valley was hit by inclement weather on Thursday and the weather office has predicted widespread rain.

"We are expecting widespread rain in the valley. Tomorrow (Friday), the weather would be generally cloudy with possibilities of rain and thunder shower at some places," an official of the Met Office told IANS in Srinagar.

"Weather would start improving from Saturday onwards."

The minimum temperature was 11.6 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, the official said.

On Thursday, the people woke up to an overcast sky and there was rainfall across the Kashmir valley.

Rainfall in the spring season has been a welcome in the past in Kashmir, but their frequency coupled with the fears of another impending flood have been causing serious concern among the locals this year.

Farmers and fruit growers are more worried as incessant rain in April not only damaged the fruit crop, but also interfered with the paddy sowing operations of the farmers here.