Bali Flooding Claims At Least Nine Lives, Two Remain missing
Denpasar, Bali - torrential rainfall triggered the worst flooding in years across Bali, Indonesia, resulting in at least nine confirmed deaths and leaving two individuals missing as of February 4, 2024. The disaster has inundated homes, businesses, and infrastructure, disrupting daily life and prompting emergency response efforts across the island.
The flooding,which began February 3,2024,has disproportionately impacted the cities of Denpasar,South Denpasar,and West Denpasar,as well as several regencies including Badung,Tabanan,and Jembrana. Videos circulating on social media depict vehicles submerged in floodwaters and, in some instances, falling into uncovered drainage systems. The scale of the disaster underscores Bali’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, especially during the rainy season, and raises concerns about the adequacy of existing drainage infrastructure to cope with increasingly intense precipitation.Authorities report that the fatalities occurred due to drowning and being swept away by strong currents.Search and rescue teams are continuing to search for the two missing persons.Thousands have been displaced from their homes and are currently sheltering in temporary evacuation centers. Local disaster management agencies are coordinating the distribution of aid, including food, clean water, and blankets, to affected communities.
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had issued early warnings for heavy rainfall across Bali, but the intensity of the downpour exceeded expectations. The agency continues to monitor weather patterns and has cautioned residents to remain vigilant for potential further flooding and landslides. Bali, a major tourist destination, typically experiences a rainy season from October to April.