MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Residents' tears, areas submerged in mud, evacuation efforts and the spirit of mutual assistance are among the stories presented at the "Prahara Pulau Emas" ("Storm on the Golden Island") photo exhibition. Dozens of works by photojournalists were officially unveiled on Tuesday, August 19, 2026, at the Atrium of Plaza Medan Fair on Jalan Gatot Subroto in Medan.
The exhibition will be open through Friday, August 21, 2026, documenting the devastating floods that struck Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. The city of Medan was also affected by the disaster.
Through the photographs captured by photojournalists, visitors can revisit the various situations that unfolded during the floods. The images portray not only the destruction and grief experienced by affected residents, but also the efforts of citizens, volunteers and various aid workers who remained active in assisting victims despite difficult conditions.
Medan Mayor Rico Triputra Waas officially opened the exhibition together with several heads of municipal agencies. The presence of city government officials also underscores the importance of raising public awareness about
disaster preparedness, readiness and risk reduction.
Valuable Lessons from Suffering
In his remarks, Rico specifically commended the organizers and
photojournalists for documenting the various events surrounding the disasters through journalistic work.
"We can draw valuable lessons from this exhibition. By viewing these photographs directly, we can understand how devastating the flooding was. Medan was also affected. Hopefully, this exhibition will become a source of information and education for the wider public and encourage people to be more vigilant and take greater responsibility for the environment," Rico said.
According to Rico, journalistic documentation plays an important role in helping the public understand the scale of an event. Photographs do not merely provide visual information; they can also convey the atmosphere and living conditions of people during a disaster, making those experiences more visible and easier to comprehend.
For this reason, the exhibition also serves as an educational platform for the public. Visitors can directly observe the impact of the disaster while gaining a greater understanding of the importance of environmental protection and heightened awareness of potential disasters.
The organizers also regard the photographic works as a record of a chapter in human history. Each image captures an event from the perspective of a journalist who was directly present at the scene.
EXHIBITION AS AN EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM: Medan Mayor Rico Triputra Waas highlights the "Prahara Pulau Emas" photo exhibition as an information and educational platform aimed at encouraging the public to be more vigilant about disasters and more aware of environmental issues. (PHOTO: Muhammad Said Harahap)
Journalists Put Themselves Second
Chairman of the regional PFI coordinating team Hendra Syamhari highlighted the dedication of photojournalists in reporting on the disaster. He said journalistic work often requires photographers to expose themselves to difficult and dangerous situations to provide the public with information.
"Photojournalists sometimes put themselves second, even putting aside their families, children and spouses, to keep the public fully informed. That was also the case during this disaster: They stayed out in the field, drenched and hungry, but continued taking photographs. That is dedication," Hendra said.
These conditions are reflected in several of the works on display. The photographs show journalists working amid floodwaters, mud and challenging field conditions. Despite the limitations, they continued their work to document the circumstances of victims and the damage to affected areas.
For Hendra, these journalistic works are more than mere documentation. The photographs are visual records that help the public understand the actual conditions at disaster sites.
Meanwhile, chairman of the organizing committee for the "Prahara Pulau Emas" photo exhibition, Irsan Mulyadi, emphasized that the organizers did not intend to spread fear through the exhibition. Instead, the event seeks to strengthen public awareness of the risks posed by natural disasters.
"We want the public to see the facts. From Aceh and West Sumatra to Medan. From this, we can learn that a disaster can happen at any time. Let this serve as a reminder for us to be better prepared," Irsan said.
Irsan explained that the photographs on display convey both the impact of the disaster and the response of communities facing an emergency. This demonstrates that preparedness and readiness are essential components in dealing with potential disasters.
PHOTOJOURNALISTS' DEDICATION: Chairman of the regional PFI coordinating team Hendra Syamhari highlights the dedication of
photojournalists who remain in the field despite difficult conditions to provide the public with information. (PHOTO: Muhammad Said Harahap)
From Grief Comes New Strength
Chairman of
PFI Medan Rizky Cahyadi added that the "
Prahara Pulau Emas" photo exhibition had previously been successfully held in West Sumatra and Aceh. Medan is the third city to host the exhibition.
"Medan is the third city. We hope that afterward, the public will have an even greater understanding of the importance of disaster preparedness and humanity," Rizky said.
In various sections of the atrium, visitors can see photographs of evacuations, homes swept away by floodwaters, activities at public kitchens, and volunteers who continued helping affected residents despite difficult and muddy conditions.
The organizers have provided each work with an explanation and information about the disaster. As a result, the exhibition is not merely a venue for viewing photographic works, but also a space for reflection and social learning.
The photo series presents two sides of a disaster. On one hand, the camera documents the grief of people who lost their homes and possessions and were forced to confront an acute emergency. On the other hand, the photographs capture the human strength that enables victims to endure and help one another.
The spirit of mutual cooperation is among the strongest messages conveyed by the works on display. Volunteers, residents and various organizations work together to assist victims, distribute relief supplies, provide food and carry out evacuations.
The documentation also serves as a reminder that disaster response must not begin only after a disaster occurs. Communities must also strengthen awareness and reduce risks through preparedness, environmental protection and proper planning.
The "Prahara Pulau Emas" exhibition therefore seeks to leave a message that extends beyond simply remembering a disaster. The organizers hope the public will learn from every event and use those lessons as motivation to strengthen solidarity, environmental awareness and disaster preparedness.
The "
Prahara Pulau Emas" photo exhibition is open to the public free of charge through Friday, August 21, 2026. Visitors can directly view a series of journalistic works documenting suffering, dedication, solidarity and the people's determination to rise again in the three provinces affected by the disaster.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Muhammad Said Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala