Kathmandu, Sept. 10 -- The government estimates that Nepal will need Rs723.31 billion to rebuild the infrastructure damaged by the August 26 Bhotekoshi floods.

The estimate comes from a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) prepared by a joint technical team led by the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Infrastructure accounts for the largest share of the estimated recovery bill, at Rs473.57 billion, or 75 percent.

NDRRMA chief executive Dharmaraj Uprety said the estimate was based on data collected from ministries, government agencies and local units.

"This is a preliminary estimate. But we have compiled the figure using data from the Department of Roads, the Cen...