Bali Reels From Decade’s Worst Flooding
denpasar, Bali – Bali is grappling with its most severe flooding in over a decade, triggered by torrential rainfall that began late Thursday and continued into Friday. The deluge has inundated homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure across multiple regions, prompting evacuations and disrupting daily life for thousands.
The extreme weather event follows a pattern of increasingly intense rainfall linked to climate change, raising concerns about the island’s preparedness for future disasters. While Bali is accustomed to a rainy season, the scale and intensity of this recent downpour are unprecedented in over ten years, according to local disaster mitigation agencies.
Reports indicate important damage in several areas, including Denpasar, Gianyar, and Badung. As of Friday afternoon,authorities confirmed that thousands have been displaced,seeking refuge in temporary shelters. The flooding has also caused widespread traffic disruptions, with numerous roads rendered impassable.
“We are focusing on evacuating residents from the most affected areas and providing them with essential supplies,” stated a spokesperson for the Bali Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). “The priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of those impacted by this disaster.”
The heavy rainfall has overwhelmed drainage systems and caused rivers to overflow, submerging entire villages.Emergency responders are working tirelessly to clear debris and restore access to affected communities. The BPBD has issued warnings for potential landslides in hilly areas, urging residents to remain vigilant and heed evacuation orders.
This latest flooding event underscores the growing vulnerability of island nations to the impacts of climate change, with rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events posing significant threats to both infrastructure and livelihoods. bali’s tourism-dependent economy is also likely to be affected, as the flooding disrupts travel and damages key tourist destinations.
