Debendra Kumar Shrestha of Puranagaun in Manthali Municipality-9 in Ramechhap district had an almost first-hand experience of the rising tensions in West Asia while in Dubai.

Although there was no direct attack, shockwaves from explosions were felt in his residence. “When bombs exploded, the house shook like a jolt during an earthquake,” Shrestha said. “There is no major damage in Dubai, but the sound and vibrations from explosions create fear.”

Shrestha, 38, who lived near Discovery Gardens and worked at a five-star hotel in Jumeirah Village Circle, was earning over Rs 80,000 a month and had planned to continue work for another decade. But he returned home within 12 days of the conflict starting on February 28, 2026, moved by concern and love for his family.

He said misleading videos on social media intensified fear among family members. “Family members at home became very worried after watching videos on Facebook. The reality is not exactly like that, but such content increases fear,” he said.

Shrestha returned home on March 11 and is now with his family of seven, including his wife, three daughters and parents. His younger brother remains in Dubai.

Shrestha, who is currently in regular contact with friends in Dubai, said hotel businesses in Dubai have started to feel the impact, with rooms going vacant, and signs of business slowdown are being exhibited. “Friends say hotel occupancy is dropping. They have advised me not to return immediately,” he said.

His leave ends on April 20, but uncertainty has left him undecided about returning. “I don’t feel like going back now. If the situation improves, I will think about it. Otherwise, I will do something here in the village,” he said.

Shrestha is now planning to invest in agriculture. “I have saved some money from working abroad for a few years. I am thinking of starting something here. It now feels better to do something in my own place than go abroad,” he said.

His experience highlights the problems created among migrant families back home by misleading content and videos about the tensions. Many in villages have become anxious after seeing unverified content online. “Many youths from this village are in Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which are currently facing the impacts of the tension. Families here get more terrified after watching fake videos,” he said.

According to Shrestha, psychological pressure caused by misinformation has become a major challenge, even more than the direct impact of the conflict. Though the war is far away, its effects have reached Nepali households.

For his wife, Kalpana Shrestha, the period was filled with fear. She followed updates through the radio and social media, but the more information she received, the more anxious she became.

“All we heard was news of war everywhere,” she said. “Since he (Debendra) was in Dubai, it made me even more afraid.”

Videos and reports on social media made her more unstable. Despite uncertainty about the real situation, fear continued within the family.

However, the anxiety eased after Shrestha returned home on March 11. “I felt relieved as soon as he arrived,” she said. “Now I feel very happy.”

The couple is now engaged in farming in the village, finding both comfort and a sense of security in staying together. Although the income abroad was good, the current instability has changed her perspective.

“The earnings were good, but until the situation becomes normal, I don’t want him to go abroad again,” she said.

Her experience shows how even distant conflicts can create deep anxiety among Nepali families, with the rapid spread of unverified information on social media further intensifying psychological stress.