Severe Flooding Disrupts Bali’s Popular Tourist Areas, Ngurah Rai Airport Remains Open
Days of relentless heavy rain have caused widespread flooding and landslides across the Indonesian island of Bali, significantly impacting both residential neighborhoods and major tourist destinations. The intense weather has led to travel disruptions and emergency evacuations, although Bali’s main international gateway, Ngurah Rai International Airport, continues to operate normally.
Flooding Hits Key Tourist Zones
The flooding primarily affected South Bali, where several popular tourist areas including Kuta, Legian, and Sanur experienced inundated streets and access difficulties. The regional capital, Denpasar, also faced severe flooding, with certain parts such as Hang Tuah Street submerged under water up to one meter deep. Residents reported wading through knee-high water inside their homes, describing this episode as more severe than typical seasonal flooding.
Rivers Overflow After Continuous Rainfall
According to authorities, the severe flooding resulted mainly from swollen rivers overflowing into low-lying areas rather than clogged drainage systems. Emergency services evacuated residents and visitors in some neighborhoods using rubber boats as roads became impassable. Floodwaters in certain locations rose to chest height, but so far no fatalities have been reported.
Landslides and Infrastructure Damage
In addition to flooding, heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides in central and eastern parts of Bali. In Ubud, Gianyar Regency, landslides caused damage to buildings and religious sites, including the collapse of a retaining wall at Pura Kelembu temple. Nearby, a landslide near The Yoga Barn disrupted access to a local school. In Karangasem Regency, authorities reported various weather-related incidents such as fallen trees, damaged homes, and collapsed retaining walls.
Weather Warnings and Sea Conditions
Indonesia’s Meteorological Agency (BMKG) has issued red alerts for extreme rainfall in Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan, Klungkung, and Karangasem. They warn that heavy rain is likely to continue in the coming days, increasing the risk of additional flooding and landslides. BMKG also cautioned about hazardous sea conditions around Bali and adjacent waters, expecting waves up to four meters in the southern Indian Ocean. This poses dangers for ferries, fishing vessels, and small craft until at least February 28. Airport Operations Continue Despite Weather
Despite the severe weather and local disruptions, Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport remains open and operational. After some delays and flight diversions earlier in the period, airport activities have mostly returned to normal, allowing tourism-related travel to continue amid the challenging conditions.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as recovery efforts progress and residents cope with the aftermath of the flooding and landslides. Tourists and locals alike are advised to stay alert to weather updates and follow safety instructions from officials.
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