A powerful 7.5 magnitude quake struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region Monday and was felt throughout much of South Asia.

The US Geological Survey put the epicentre near Jarm in the country's northeast, 250 kilometres (160 miles) from the capital Kabul and at a depth of 213.5 km. It previously estimated the magnitude at 7.7.

The quake, which lasted at least one minute, shook buildings in Kabul, Islamabad and New Delhi, sending people rushing into the streets.