A British travel vlogger found himself in the middle of Nepal’s political overthrow, and his street-level footage has sent his channel surging.
Nepal has seen days of youth-led anti-government protests since September 8, triggered by anger over alleged corruption and a short-lived social-media ban. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, parliament was dissolved, and former chief justice Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister as authorities lifted curfews and set new elections for March 5. Officials report at least 51 deaths amid the unrest, with several government buildings set ablaze.
The YouTuber known as wehatethecold typically posts motorbike travel vlogs that rarely topped 100,000 views until he found himself caught in the middle of Nepal’s coup. Since arriving in Kathmandu, three uploads since September 8 have exploded in popularity, led by “The side of Nepal the media won’t show you,” which has passed 20 million views in a few days.
YouTuber goes viral while stuck in Nepal
In his first viral video, the creator moves with crowds as police fire tear gas and demonstrators push through barricades toward government compounds. He tells viewers “I should not be here” and later, “for the first time in my life, I’ve just experienced tear gas,” while nearby voices repeat “Parliament is burning” as plumes of smoke rise over the city. Between clashes, locals offer him water and urge him to stay safe, a moment he describes as “the humanity still remains even though there’s chaos that way.”
His follow-up captures the city under curfew and fuel shortages, with shuttered storefronts and burned-out vehicles along main roads. On camera he describes “martial law,” calls once-busy streets “almost a ghost town,” and shows checkpoints and barbed wire as residents say life is “going normal” under army control.
Several people stop him for selfies, with one joking that he should be “in charge now” after his videos went viral across Nepal. A few X accounts claim wehatethecold has become a celebrity in Nepal due to his coverage.
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The video then shifts to quieter scenes, tea at a roadside stall, volunteers handing out water, and locals recognizing him from the first upload, as he retraces the route where he “first experienced tear gas,” reflecting that the timing was the “worst” for a normal tourist but noting the capital was beginning to calm.
Authorities say curfews have now been eased in Kathmandu as the interim government takes charge, with elections slated for March 5 and families of victims pressing for accountability. The creator says he plans to remain until restrictions fully lift, continuing to film day-to-day conditions as Nepal moves into its transition period.