The death toll from the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that devastated Jajarkot and West Rukum districts has reached 157, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Saturday evening.

In the statement, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, spokesperson of the ministry, said over 375 people were injured in the quake.

Those sustaining minor injuries are being treated at local health facilities and district hospitals and the seriously injured have been airlifted to Kathmandu, Surkhet and Nepalgunj, the ministry said.

According to Nepal Police, 105 people died in the earthquake in Jajarkot, the epicentre of the quake, while 52 deaths have been reported in the adjoining district West Rukum as of 5pm on Saturday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal visited the quake-hit districts along with doctors, health workers, medicines and relief materials and met with the affected families. He instructed the concerned agencies to immediately make search, rescue and relief works more effective.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the earthquake with an epicentre in Jajarkot district was recorded at 11:47pm on Friday. Strong jolts were felt in Kathmandu and in cities in neighbouring India, including New Delhi.

A meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha earlier on Saturday announced a financial package of Rs100 million to facilitate the search and rescue missions in the earthquake-hit districts. District authorities in Jajarkot and West Rukum will be provided Rs50 million each for the purpose.

The meeting also decided to dispatch necessary human resources including specialist doctors, and essential medical equipment to the affected areas quickly, keep health personnel on standby in Surkhet, Nepalgunj and Kathmandu for additional treatment and send food, tents, blankets, mattresses and sleeping bags among others to the affected districts.

The meeting expressed its gratitude for proposals for assistance from foreign countries and decided to seek support later if necessary, the home ministry said.