A powerful earthquake shook various parts of Nepal, including the Kathmandu Valley, early Tuesday morning, prompting residents to rush out of their homes in panic.

The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre in Kathmandu reported that the tremor, measuring 7 on the Richter scale, was felt at 6:50 am local time.

According to international media, the earthquake was recorded at magnitude 6.9, with Reuters quoting the China Earthquake Networks Centre, which placed the epicentre at a depth of 10 kilometres.

No reports of damage or casualties have been reported in Nepal so far.