A Georgian couple, Mita and Hemant Parikh, narrowly escaped a catastrophic flood in Nepal that killed over 1,300 people after making an impulsive decision to take a separate trip to Mount Everest Base Camp. Their decision to deviate from their pilgrimage group's planned route to Mount Kailash in Tibet saved their lives, as the flooding destroyed their hotel and claimed all their fellow travellers and tour guides. The tragedy underscores how chance decisions can determine survival in the face of natural disasters.

The disaster struck on 26 August when a massive glacier and rock overhang fell from Lantang Lirung mountain, unleashing a torrent of water, ice and debris downstream. The Parikhs were part of a group of 47 international travellers, accompanied by seven guides, who had planned their spiritual journey for 15 years. Upon returning to find their hotel completely destroyed and unable to reach their travel companions, the couple has been left with survivor's guilt and unanswered questions about why they alone survived when so many others perished.