Behind the Nepal-China border floods lie bad politics

As the waters of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers recede, leaving behind mud, debris and damaged infrastructure, a familiar pattern is visible in Nepal.

When disaster strikes, the country’s usual political divisions, cronyism and institutional mistrust give way, for a while, to real unity.

Across party lines, political leaders worked around the clock alongside security forces. Digital channels opened for the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, a “one-door policy” was enforced to prevent...