Bali faces its deadliest floods in ten years as at least 14 people have died across the island. Torrential rains triggered rivers to burst their banks, submerging homes and roads. Authorities report the rain has stopped, but rescuers continue searching for survivors. Two people remain missing in Denpasar, where eight deaths occurred.
Widespread Evacuations and Infrastructure Damage
Since Tuesday, hundreds of residents evacuated their flooded homes. Landslides have blocked major roads, and authorities report at least two damaged bridges. Residents describe the scene as shocking. Tasha, a Bali local, said the flooding overwhelmed the island’s drainage system. The provincial government has declared a week-long state of emergency.
President Prabowo Subianto expressed deep condolences and instructed agencies to respond swiftly. His cabinet secretary added that the government emphasises providing targeted aid to affected communities.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Flooded Areas
Nyoman Sidakarya, head of Bali’s search and rescue agency, said teams struggle to reach flooded zones. He reported that trucks can barely pass through some streets. Two victims died from electrocution and were swept away by currents in Jembrana Regency. Authorities confirmed eight deaths in Denpasar, three in Gianyar, and one in Badung County. At least 85 residents in Jembrana moved to temporary shelters. Two buildings collapsed in Denpasar.
Flash Floods Affect Neighboring Islands
Bali is not the only island impacted by heavy rainfall. East Nusa Tenggara province reported three deaths, two injuries, and four missing persons. The climatological station in Bali recorded over 385mm of rain in 24 hours.
Popular tourist areas face severe disruption as hotels and businesses struggle. Officials note that clogged drainage systems worsened the flooding. Bali’s long-standing waste management and infrastructure problems contributed to the disaster.
Weather Warnings and Long-Term Challenges
Authorities maintain a severe weather warning for Bali, though rains are expected to ease from Thursday. Landslides and flash floods frequently hit the Indonesian archipelago during the rainy season. Officials warn that climate change has intensified these extreme weather events.
