Bali Faces Flood and Water Stress as Demand Hits 4.06 Billion Cubic Metres

Denpasar — Bali faces mounting pressure on two fronts: water demand has been reported at 4.06 billion cubic metres a year, while officials and climate advocates warn that flooding, drought and coastal inundation risks are rising across the island.

In a report published on Sept. 14, 2026, Bali Discovery said the island’s annual water demand exceeds estimated groundwater availability of 2.07 billion cubic metres. The report said agriculture, fisheries and plantations account for 90.81% of water use.

The same report, citing the Bali Net Zero Emissions Coalition and local reporting, said the island’s climate risks vary by region. Denpasar and Badung were identified as areas needing preparation for urban flooding, flash floods and tidal inundation, while Bangli and Karangasem were described as more exposed to landslides and upstream water instability.

Bali Post reported on Sept. 11, 2026, that the province was still in the dry season and warned that meteorological drought remained a concern, with light rain only forecast intermittently across several regencies. The publication also quoted provincial disaster agency chief I Gede Teja as urging people to stay alert to hydrometeorological hazards.

According to the Bali Discovery report, the coalition also flagged Buleleng, North Karangasem and the Klungkung coast as areas facing seasonal drought, coastal abrasion and rising sea levels. The report said high-emissions scenarios indicate permanent coastal inundation could occur by 2045, though it did not identify specific villages or modelling details.

The water imbalance is linked not only to rainfall patterns but also to land conversion and storage limits, the report said. That means heavy rain can still trigger flooding even in a province where water remains scarce during dry periods.

The report also said tourism and other nature-based sectors remain highly exposed to climate stress. It said tourism accounts for about 21% of Bali’s gross regional domestic product and that more than half of the island’s economy depends on nature-based sectors such as tourism, agriculture and fisheries.

Proposed responses include location-specific climate planning, stronger low-carbon rules, renewable-energy village programmes, waste treatment and wider climate finance, according to the coalition quoted in the report. Bali Governor Regulation No. 45/2019 on clean energy was cited as part of the policy framework supporting the island’s net-zero target for 2045.

Sources

• Bali Discovery
• Bali Post