In the aftermath of cyclone-induced floods and landslides that ravaged Sumatra island in Indonesia, Abdul Ghani has been tirelessly searching for his missing wife, Marsoni. At 57 years old, Ghani, a soft drinks seller, has been wandering through the mud-covered streets of Palembayan for days, desperately seeking any sign of his wife, his sole remaining family member after the loss of their only child seven years ago.
The onset of heavy rain caught Ghani working one Friday afternoon, and upon returning home near the river, he was informed that six houses, including his own, had been swept away. Gripped by fear for his wife, Ghani has been displaying a large photo of Marsoni to anyone he encounters, including rescue teams sifting through the debris of collapsed structures.
The disaster in Indonesia has resulted in the tragic loss of 686 lives, with 476 individuals still unaccounted for as of Tuesday. Over one million people have been evacuated from affected areas. The widespread destruction in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand adds to the string of severe weather events in Southeast Asia, with recent typhoons causing havoc in the Philippines and Vietnam and triggering recurrent and prolonged flooding in various regions.
With a heavy heart, Ghani expresses his sole wish for his wife – a dignified burial. Overwhelmed with emotions, he reflects on the love he shared with Marsoni, lamenting the loss of not just his home but also his life partner.