AN earthquake measuring 5.0 shook parts of central Nepal today, sending panic-stricken residents out of their homes in the capital Kathmandu, officials said.
The epicentre of the tremor was located about 40km north of Kathmandu, a National Seismological Centre official said.
The quake lasted a few seconds and was felt in the hill-ringed capital city, home to more than 1.5 million people.
“I was having my tea when the ground started to shake. I left the cup of tea and rushed out,” said Shanta Nepal, a Kathmandu housewife.
Police said there was no immediate report of damage or injuries.
More than 700 people were killed in an earthquake in east Nepal in 1988.