Bali flooding prompts tourist evacuations

Denpasar — Intense rain caused flooding across several Bali districts and Denpasar from late October 26, according to a report published by The Jakarta Post on October 31.

Why it matters: Visitors in Bali faced flooding and tourist evacuations while heavy-rain and high-wave warnings remained in force through October 31.

The report said local disaster-mitigation agency senior official I Gede Agung Teja Bhusana Yadnya confirmed the flooding and that tourists were evacuated. It did not give a final figure for casualties, displaced people or damage.

The flooding came as the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency’s Denpasar regional office warned of moderate to heavy rain in parts of Bali through October 31. The warning covered Badung, Buleleng, Jembrana, Karangasem and Tabanan on October 30-31, according to Tempo.

BMKG also forecast waves of up to 3 metres in waters south of Bali and urged caution over possible waves of at least 2 metres in the southern Bali Strait, Badung Strait, Lombok Strait and southern Bali waters.

Bali’s disaster-mitigation agency has identified flood-prone areas including Sanur, Padangsambian and Renon in Denpasar, as well as Seminyak and Kuta in Badung, Tempo reported. The provincial government has installed 12 flood sirens, including six in Denpasar, to warn people near rivers when water levels reach critical thresholds.

The weather warning was scheduled to remain in force through 8 a.m. Central Indonesia Time on October 31 for the areas listed by BMKG.

Sources

• The Jakarta Post
• Tempo.co