Bali is reeling from its deadliest floods in a decade after torrential rains swept across the island, killing at least 14 people and leaving two still missing.
Rivers burst their banks following days of relentless downpours, submerging homes, blocking major roads and cutting off entire communities. The rain has now eased, but rescuers are still searching for survivors in areas left buried under water and debris.
Eight of the deaths were confirmed in Denpasar, the island’s capital. Other fatalities were reported in Gianyar, Badung and Jembrana regencies, where two victims were electrocuted and swept away by strong currents.
“This flooding was unlike anything we’ve seen in years,” said Tasha, a Denpasar resident. “People here were shocked. I thought Bali had adequate drainage.”
Hundreds of residents have been forced from their homes, taking shelter in temporary camps. In Jembrana district, at least 85 people are displaced, while in Denpasar, two buildings collapsed under the weight of floodwater.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by damaged roads and landslides. “Floods are everywhere, even trucks can barely pass through,” said Nyoman Sidakarya, head of Bali’s search and rescue agency.
Authorities say two bridges have been damaged, further complicating aid delivery.
The provincial government has declared a week-long state of emergency. President Prabowo Subianto expressed “deep condolences” and urged agencies to act swiftly, focusing on “targeted aid” for affected families.
Officials reported more than 385 millimetres of rainfall in just 24 hours at one monitoring station — an amount usually expected across several months.
The floods have struck at the heart of Bali’s tourist economy. Hotels and businesses have been left struggling as power outages, damaged roads and blocked drains worsened the impact. Officials admitted that rubbish-clogged drainage systems, a long-standing problem on the island, had made flooding worse.
Neighbouring East Nusa Tenggara province has also been hit, with three deaths reported, along with two injuries and four people still missing.
Indonesia is no stranger to flash floods and landslides during the rainy season, but officials warn that climate change is making extreme weather more frequent and more intense.
Though meteorologists expect rainfall to ease from Thursday, Bali remains under a severe weather warning. For families mourning their dead — and for communities now cut off — the recovery is likely to take much longer.
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