With Photo Prints, Abdul Gani Travels Around Looking for His Missing Wife in Galodo

Abdul Gani (57) displayed a photo of a woman wearing a black hijab printed on a sheet of HVS paper. It is an image of his wife, Marsoni (52), who went missing in the flash flood or galodo in Salareh Aia Timur. Until now, the whereabouts of his wife remain unclear.

"I am here to inform people, such as journalists, the police, the military, and the National Disaster Management Agency, that until now my wife has not been found," said Gani when met around the emergency response field post in Palembayan District at the office of the Nagari Head of Salareh Aia Utara, Tuesday (1/12/2025) afternoon.

Flash floods struck settlements in Palembayan District, particularly in Nagari Salareh Aia and Nagari Salareh Timur, on Thursday (27/11/2025) around 5:00 PM. Gani's house in Jorong Subarang Aia, Nagari Salareh Aia Timur, was not spared from the deluge.

At the time of the incident, only his wife, Marsoni, was at home. Meanwhile, Gani had not yet returned from selling crepes and traditional ice cream while riding his motorcycle. When he was about to return at 5:30 PM, he got caught in Jorong Munggun.

"The settlement has become a sea (of muddy water). I can't go anywhere, I'm trapped, while my wife is at home alone," said Gani.

On that Thursday, Gani was unable to directly see the condition of his house. The access road to Jorong Subarang Aia was blocked by mud. It was only on Saturday (29/11/2025) that he was able to access the location of his house.

"My house is completely slippery. Not to mention the foundation, even the grass is gone; there isn't a single blade of grass left there," said Gani with tears held back.

Gani then rode around on his remaining motorcycle to search for his wife's whereabouts at various posts. He asked the officers and described his wife's characteristics.

On Monday, Gani also printed a picture of his wife on HVS paper to assist the officers. The photo file was obtained from the mobile phone of his relatives. "I request that it be photocopied at the village head's office so that the authorities are informed," said Gani, who is currently living as a guest in his brother-in-law's house.

Gani feels that his life is empty and wasted due to the disaster that struck. He now relies on aid food for survival. The production equipment for his trade has also been swept away by the flood. Meeting the body of his wife will provide some solace for his grief.

Imwarizal (52), Gani's brother-in-law, hopes that his brother can be found soon. He is currently accompanying Gani in searching for information regarding Marsoni's whereabouts.

"Whatever the circumstances, the important thing is to find him so he can be buried," said Imwarizal.

The joint Search and Rescue team from various agencies is still working to find the victims. Some are conducting manual searches of the disaster area, while others are using heavy equipment.

Whatever the situation, the important thing is to find him so he can be buried.

Data from the Natural Disaster Mitigation Post of the Agam Police in Nagari Salareh Aia recorded the death toll from the flash flood in Palembayan District reaching 116 people as of Monday afternoon. Not all victims have been identified.

"For the victims of the flash flood in Palembayan, the total is estimated to be more than 300 people. Currently, 116 individuals have been found. The others have not yet been located. There are 202 houses swept away due to the flash flood," said the Head of Agam Police, Commissioner Muari.

The flash flood in Agam Regency, particularly in Palembayan District, is the worst in West Sumatra. The number of fatalities in this area accounts for more than half of the total casualties from flash floods and landslides in various regions of West Sumatra Province.

As of December 1, 2025, at 21:00, the number of fatalities in the disaster in West Sumatra reached 166. The death toll from Agam was recorded at 118 individuals.