In the aftermath of cyclone-triggered floods and landslides that wreaked havoc on Sumatra island in Indonesia, Abdul Ghani, a 57-year-old soft drink seller, has been desperately searching for his missing wife, Marsoni. Their only child passed away seven years ago, leaving Marsoni as Ghani’s sole companion. With each passing day, his hopes of finding her alive diminish.
Ghani was away working when heavy rain began to fall. Upon returning, he discovered that his home and several others had been swept away by the raging waters. Gripped by despair, he roams the debris-laden streets of Palembayan, clutching a photograph of his beloved wife, displaying it to anyone who might have seen her amidst the chaos.
The disaster in Indonesia has resulted in the loss of 686 lives, with 476 individuals still unaccounted for. Over a million people have been evacuated, highlighting the scale of the tragedy. Ghani, amidst the devastation, clings to the faint hope of at least finding Marsoni’s remains for a proper farewell.
The widespread destruction in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand comes after a series of severe weather events in Southeast Asia, exacerbating the suffering of many. Ghani, overwhelmed with emotion, expresses his desire for closure through a dignified burial for his wife, lamenting the loss of their shared life and uncertain future.