Kathmandu. It has been estimated that Rs 723.31 billion will be required for the reconstruction after the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River of Rasuwa on August 26.

According to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report prepared by the joint technical team of the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRA), it is estimated that Rs 473.57 billion will be required to recover the infrastructure sector most affected by the disaster. This is 75 per cent of the total disaster recovery needs.

Among the infrastructure, energy and roads have also been badly damaged. Where 13 hydropower projects with a capacity of 759 MW and 5 solar plants of 24 MW capacity have been affected. As a result, Rs 390.62 billion will be required for the revival of the energy and grid system.

Similarly, 69 km of the road section has been damaged. 33 motorable bridges have been washed away and four have been partially damaged. Similarly, out of 64 suspension bridges in the flood-affected areas, 53 have been damaged. Rs 73.34 billion will be spent to rebuild the overall transport infrastructure in the affected areas.

The floods have also had a huge physical and economic impact on the social and manufacturing sectors. As many as 7,570 private houses have been damaged in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan. Apart from this, 48 public buildings, 18 schools, 7 health institutions and 30 cultural heritage sites have been damaged. A budget of Rs 103.54 billion is required for this area.

Similarly, the revival of the productive sector, which includes trade, business, banks and agriculture, is estimated to cost Rs 50.77 billion. In the production sector, 1,806 hectares of agricultural crops, 17 bank branches and 4,800 business establishments have been affected.

Out of the 15 local levels in five districts, 3,026 houses have been damaged in Bidur Municipality of Nuwakot district.

According to the report, Rs 94.75 billion will be required for disaster risk reduction and river management and Rs 515.44 million will be required for the management of mud and debris.

The report divides the reconstruction into two phases. According to the report, Rs 8.73 billion will be spent on immediate relief and short-term reconstruction in the next six months and Rs 714.58 billion for long-term reconstruction.