In the aftermath of severe cyclone-related floods and landslides that ravaged Sumatra island in Indonesia, Abdul Ghani, a 57-year-old soft drinks seller, has been tirelessly searching for his missing wife, Marsoni, whom he has been married to for 25 years. Their only child passed away seven years ago, leaving Marsoni as Ghani’s sole remaining family member. Despite his efforts, Ghani’s hope of finding his wife is diminishing as time passes.
Ghani was working when heavy rain began, and upon returning home, he discovered that six houses, including his own, had been swept away by the raging waters. Since then, he has been carrying a large photo of his wife, displaying it to anyone who might have information, including rescue teams navigating the rubble of collapsed structures.
The disaster has claimed the lives of 686 individuals in Indonesia, with 476 people currently unaccounted for, as of the latest reports. Over a million residents have been evacuated from affected areas. The catastrophe in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand comes on the heels of a series of severe weather events in Southeast Asia, including destructive typhoons in the Philippines and Vietnam, leading to widespread and persistent flooding.
Expressing his grief, Ghani simply wishes for his wife to receive a proper burial, emphasizing the profound loss he feels without her. He reflects on the love they shared and the emptiness he now faces without his wife and their home.
