Germany's flood recovery fund to top 20 billion euros -sources

BERLIN: Germany's planned flood recovery fund will top 20 billion euros ($23.5 billion), more than double an initial projection, two people familiar with the internal discussions told Reuters on Monday.

Heavy rainfall and flooding last month took many towns in western and southern Germany by surprise despite extreme weather warnings. More than 180 people died in the country's worst natural disaster in more than half a century which also destroyed many homes, roads, rail tracks and bridges. Officials initially estimated that reconstruction in Germany's flood zones would probably cost more than 10 billion euros but more detailed analysis of the damage since then has put the cost much higher.