Srinagar, May 13 (IANS): Rain and thundershowers would continue to lash the Valley till Friday, Met Office said here on Wednesday.

"Rain and thundershower is expected across Jammu and Kashmir... Fair weather is expected in the state from Friday onwards," an official of the local Met department told IANS in Srinagar on Wednesday.

The official also said the minimum temperature was 10.9 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, 8.4 degrees in Pahalgam, 4.6 degrees in Gulmarg, 8.1 degrees in Leh, and 5.9 degrees in Kargil on Wednesday.

In the Jammu region, the minimum temperature was 20.1 degrees in Jammu city, 19.1 in Katra town, 11.8 in Banihal town, 13.3 in Batote and 13 in Bhaderwah town on Wednesday.

Frequent rains this year have caused panic among farmers and orchardists. Fruit crop has suffered damage due to the sudden drop in temperatures and pounding rain.

Paddy sowing and transplantation is also getting delayed as farmers find it difficult to work in the fields during rains.