A woman injured in an earthquake walks toward a hospital soon after the earthquake in Sankhu May 12, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

The fresh quake also forced the government to decide to extend the closure of all education institutions, including schools, in the earthquake-affected districts until May 29.

The Nepalese government announced the closure of these institutions after the April 25 earthquake, and had decided earlier that they would be open again from May 15.

At this hour of crisis, Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Loirala has appealed to all the people to remain patient, strong and safe without being scared.

He told an emergency meeting of the cabinet held following the quake that the government had sent medical and search and rescue teams with necessary medicines on helicopters to districts reportedly being hit seriously.

The government had been sending food items and corrugated zinc sheets to the earthquake victims, he said, adding, "Even civil servants, leaders and cadres of political parties and people from different sectors have been actively involved in helping the victims, along with the security forces."

Claiming Tuesday's quake was only an aftershock of the April 25 earthquake, the prime minister urged Nepalese not to believe rumors or block roads but involve in helping injured people to reach hospitals.

He said Nepalese people would be relieved from the natural disaster soon.