DENPASAR – Torrential monsoon rains have unleashed deadly floods across Bali, claiming at least six lives and leaving several others unaccounted for, officials confirmed. The disaster prompted urgent rescue operations, forced widespread evacuations, and severely disrupted transportation in the popular tourist hub.
Two buildings collapsed in Denpasar between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, killing four people, said I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of the local search and rescue agency. In Jembrana Regency, two more fatalities were reported, and 85 residents were evacuated by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Flooding remains widespread.
Access to Ngurah Rai International Airport has been severely restricted—only trucks can traverse submerged roads—hindering relief efforts and stranding travelers. Authorities have dispatched approximately 200 rescuers, deploying rubber dinghies to navigate chest-deep water across five flood-hit cities, including Denpasar and tourist centers like Kuta.
Deaths and Disruptions Mount Across Regions
Beyond Bali, devastating floods struck East Nusa Tenggara, where at least four people have died, several villages are cut off, and phone and road networks collapsed.
According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), rainfall volumes of 50–150 mm were recorded across Bali, intensifying due to the influence of equatorial Rossby waves. Authorities predict continued rainfall in the coming days.
Authorities Rally Amid Escalating Disaster
Bali’s provincial governor, while confirming the material losses to tourism and residential infrastructure, reported more than 800 locals sheltered in temporary accommodations. In some areas, floodwaters rose up to 2.5 meters (8 feet), leaving communities submerged and vulnerable.
Industrial zones, electricity and water supplies, and key bridges and roads across districts like Karangasem, Gianyar, and Badung are severely damaged. The Denpasar city government, meanwhile, has yet to officially declare a disaster status, focusing first on evacuation efforts.
Mapping the Meteorological Threat
Indonesia’s monsoon season—from October to March—is known for triggering flash floods and landslides. However, this week’s rainfall—amplified by atmospheric disturbances—has brought unprecedented intensity.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Reported fatalities | Bali: 6 dead (4 in Denpasar, 2 in Jembrana); East Nusa Tenggara: 4 dead |
| Evacuations | 85 evacuated in Jembrana; over 800 in shelters across Bali |
| Search & Rescue Teams | ~200 personnel deployed with dinghies |
| Infrastructure Impact | Building collapses, blocked roads, airport access limited to trucks |
| Flood Depths | Up to 2.5 meters in areas; widespread inundation in nine districts |
| Precipitation Levels | 50–150 mm across Bali; rain forecast to continue |
| Disaster Response Status | Evacuations ongoing; Denpasar yet to declare formal disaster status |
Humanitarian and infrastructural crisis
Bali faces a severe humanitarian and infrastructural crisis as unprecedented monsoon-triggered flooding wreaks havoc across the island. With key roads submerged, vital infrastructure damaged, and rescue operations stretched thin, authorities are urging continued vigilance amid forecasts of more heavy rainfall. The full scale of the disaster—already deadly—continues to unfold. (zai)