Man Seeks his Wife of 25 Years Lost in Flood: 'Is She Still Alive?'

Abdul Ghani is urgently looking for his wife, Marsoni, after severe flooding in Indonesia swept away their home on Friday, November 28. The 57-year-old expressed deep sorrow, saying he feels "shattered" after losing both his home and wife on the same day.

Indonesia has suffered catastrophic floods following cyclones and heavy monsoon rains, with over 700 reported fatalities.

Ghani, who has been married to Marsoni for 25 years, has been tirelessly searching for her in the town of Palembayan on the island of Sumatra. He carries a photo of his wife, showing it to everyone he encounters, holding onto hope despite fearing the worst.

"Is she alive? I don't think she is," Ghani said. "But I hope they find her body, even if its just a piece."

On the day of the flood, Ghani was at work when neighbors informed him that his house was among six that were washed away. Returning to the site, he described the scene as completely submerged, saying, everywhere was like a river.

I had a wife, we loved each other, he lamented. Now, without his home or his wife, he wonders, "Where do I go next?"

Authorities report that 1.5 million people have been affected by the flooding, with 570,000 displaced. Thousands remain missing across Indonesia, and the death toll continues to rise.

Environmental activists highlight that the disaster is compounded by human factors such as deforestation and unregulated development, warning that urgent measures are needed to prevent future floods from becoming routine. Rianda Purba from the Indonesian Environmental Forum stated, Without urgent restoration and stricter protections, these floods will become the new normal.

The tragic events underscore the vulnerability of communities in Indonesia amid intense weather patterns and environmental degradation, leaving families like Ghani's searching for answers amidst overwhelming loss.

Author: Olivia Parker