Dehradun, Jan 8 (IANS): An unabated cold wave continued in Uttarakhand on Tuesday as snowfall and scattered rains were reported from some regions of the hill state, the weather office said.

Owing to inclement weather which is set to continue for the next few days, the ongoing restoration work at the Kedarnath shrine, an area which was devastated in the 2013 flash floods, has been stopped, officials told IANS.

Over four feet of snow was reported in the region and the mercury has dropped to sub-zero levels, with temperatures swinging between minus 2 to minus 9 degrees Celsius.

Heavy snowfall has been taking place over the past few days in Tungnath, Chopta, Dugalbitta, Hariyali Danda and Madhyeshwar.

It has also been intermittently snowing in Chamoli, Yamunotri, Kumayun's Dhanachuli and Pahadpani areas.

On Sunday, the hill station of Nainital received the season's first snowfall, bringing cheers to the vacationing tourists.

Dumuk, Urgam, Kalgoth and Tapovan in Joshimath have been receiving heavy snow in the past 48-hours, leading to intensifying of the cold wave.

It has also been snowing in Badrinath, Rudranath, Hemkund Saheb, Nanda Ghunghati, Auli, Nijmula valley, Gorson.

The state government has alerted district authorities and have asked to step up vigil to avoid any loss of lives.

People have been asked to venture out of their homes only in case of absolute necessity.