An earthquake measuring 5.0 shook parts of central Nepal on Monday, sending panic stricken residents out of their homes in the capital Kathmandu, officials said.

The epicentre of the tremor that struck at 0949 GMT was located about 40 km 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.