According to the US Geological Survey (USGS) the latest 7.5 magnitude quake has struck at about 12:35pm local time with the epicentre 83 kilometres east of the country’s capital Kathmandu – near Mt Everest’s base camp.
The violent tremors caused people to run out of buildings and while there are no reports of further damage shopkeepers and businesses closed, according to news agency Reuters.
Shockwaves were reportedly felt as far away as the Indian capital New Delhi, as well as Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where buildings trembled for more than a minute and frightened people fled on to the streets.
The BBC’s correspondent, Yogita Limaye who is currently in Nepal, tweeted: “We’re safe. Did feel the earth shake for quite a long time. Saw dust and stones flying off mountain near by.”
Limaye later told BBC World News: “The earth shook and it shook for a pretty long time.
“I can completely understand the sense of panic. We have been seeing tremors: it’s been two and a half weeks since the first quake.
“But this one really felt like it went on for a really long time. People have been terrified.”
A 7.8 magnitude quake devastated Nepal on April 25 killing at least 8,046 people, injuring thousands and according to the Nepalese finance minister, Ram Sharan Mahat, caused more than $2 billion worth of damage.
Since the initial April quake the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has evacuated more than 60 Australians from Kathmandu.
Melbourne mother-of-two Renu Fotedar, 49, was confirmed dead in the Mount Everest avalanche that buried the base camp and killed 18 climbers following the quake.
This year’s Everest season has been cancelled for mountaineers wishing to scale the world’s tallest peak for safety fears of more avalanches.
The most recent earthquake was earlier measured at 7.1, but was later upgraded by the USGS.
Nepal has suffered hundreds of aftershocks since the April 25 quake.
*Video: Baby pulled out rescued in Nepal after 22-hours buried under earthquake rubble.”
