By September 22, 2026, Mita and Hemant Parikh, a couple from Suwanee, returned home after surviving a catastrophic flash flood in a Himalayan river valley. Their fellow travelers remain missing. The Parikhs were part of a group of 47 people on a spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet.
The flood, occurring nearly a month ago, left no trace of the missing families or their seven guides. The tour company organizing the trip informed CBS News Atlanta that no traces of the lost have been found, either alive or deceased.
Decision That Saved Lives
The Parikhs spent weeks grappling with their decision that altered their fate. “That’s what we talk about every single day,” Mita stated. Their pilgrimage to Mount Kailash had been planned for 15 years. “Everybody has a bucket list,” Mita explained, emphasizing the personal significance of their journey.
Mount Kailash, located high in the Himalayas, is regarded as a sacred site in Hinduism. The Parikhs sought peace and spiritual reflection there, joining others from around the world. The group included travelers from the U.S. and Australia, mothers, daughters, and children.
Initially, the Parikhs had plans to travel further with new acquaintances. However, an unexpected offer diverted them to Lhasa and Everest Base Camp before meeting up with the group in Saga. “Usually we argue, or tickets are expensive,” Mita recalled. Yet, they both agreed this time.
Hemant found the idea of seeing Everest, the world’s tallest peak, appealing. “At least, I cannot climb, but I can go and see from a distance,” he said. Accompanied by a guide and driver, they spent a clear day at the base camp, even despite snow forecasts.
Tragic News and Unanswered Questions
Upon their return to meet the group, they learned of a devastating flash flood that ravaged the river valley where their friends stayed. Hemant first assumed it was a typical flood, a common occurrence. Their silent phone at Everest prevented the delivery of urgent messages from family and friends seeking confirmation of their safety.
Initially, the Parikhs presumed a delay affected their fellow travelers. With limited news access and language barriers, they struggled to piece together the unfolding events. Their side trip decision saved them, as they were the only ones who diverted from the group’s original path.
Following attempts to reach their group by phone, they heard nothing back. Their tour operator flew over the site, finding the hotel completely gone. “Not a single piece of concrete or pillar,” Hemant said, recalling the scene’s devastation.
Mita imagines the morning just before the flood hit. She visualizes people she knew, having breakfast, unaware of the impending danger. One month later, uncertainty lingers.
Life After Loss
The Parikhs returned to Atlanta, facing mixed emotions. Mita speaks of hope that someone survived. Maybe someone found a shelter but couldn’t contact others. Hemant deals with ongoing doubts, questioning his choices and wondering if he could have done more.
For Mita, life at home now feels different. She is more inclined to spend time with loved ones and care more deeply for others. Yet, she often ponders the decision that separated them from the rest. “Why God chose us to live,” she wonders. There remains no clear answer for the couple as they continue searching for meaning in having survived.