Major Floods Hit Bali, Indonesia! Roads Paralyzed and Many Residents Trapped
Light House Denver – Major floods hit Bali after torrential rains from Tuesday to Wednesday (Sept 10), submerging key areas in Denpasar and Badung. Nearly the entire city of Denpasar was affected, with floodwaters reaching residential neighborhoods and public facilities.
Although the flooding spread across much of Bali, the worst conditions were reported around Badung Market and its surroundings, Jalan Pulau Misol, Simpang Dewa Ruci in Kuta, Jalan Pura Demak, Jalan Taman Pancing, and Peguyangan Kaja in North Denpasar. Several major roads were paralyzed as floodwaters cut off access for vehicles.
Head of Denpasar Basarnas, Nyoman Sidakarya, confirmed that rescue teams had been deployed with rubber boats to reach the hardest-hit areas. “Many homes were submerged. Evacuations focused on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and sick residents trapped by the flood,” he explained.
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In Peguyangan Kaja, SAR teams evacuated immobile residents suffering from illness, while in Taman Pancing, rescue officers remained on standby with full equipment. The evacuation operations continued from morning to afternoon as water levels kept rising due to persistent rain.
At Badung Market, water flooded the parking basement and the first floor of the building. Dozens of vehicles were trapped and badly damaged. The blocked Tukad Badung River overflowed near a bridge, spilling into Jalan Sulawesi and even reaching the BCA building next to the market.
Several riverside houses collapsed into the swollen river. Preliminary reports stated that one family was swept away, though their condition remains unknown. Material losses around Badung Market are believed to be extensive, with many stalls and market facilities destroyed by the flood.
At Simpang Dewa Ruci in Kuta, the underpass filled completely with water, trapping numerous cars. The flooding caused severe traffic jams in front of Mall Bali Galeria (MBG) and blocked routes to Ngurah Rai Airport, Seminyak, and Sunset Road.
Motorists on both motorcycles and cars attempted to turn back, worsening the congestion. Traffic police and volunteers worked to clear the roads, but the sheer number of stranded vehicles slowed the response.
Beyond paralyzing markets and main roads, the floods also knocked out electricity in several areas. The state electricity company temporarily cut power in certain zones to prevent short circuits. Several schools and offices were forced to close as roads became impassable.
Most residents whose homes were inundated sought refuge at community centers or with relatives in safer locations. Authorities urged the public to remain alert, particularly those living along riverbanks and low-lying areas.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) forecast that heavy rainfall will continue across Bali for the next two days. The potential for further flooding remains high if rainfall does not subside.
SAR and BPBD officers emphasized that communication lines will remain open to ensure that emergency reports from residents can be responded to promptly.
The situation highlights the urgent need for serious improvements to urban drainage systems and river management. Without such measures, the risk of recurring floods will persist during the rainy season.
