Bali, Indonesia—This week, catastrophic flooding on the renowned holiday island of Bali has tragically resulted in at least six fatalities and caused significant disruptions to travel. The incessant heavy rainfall from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning led to the collapse of two buildings in Denpasar, claiming four lives, according to I Nyoman Sidakarya, the head of the island’s search and rescue agency.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
In the wake of the floods, authorities reported that two additional deaths occurred in the Jembrana region, with 85 people evacuated to safety. As of now, flooding remains a severe issue across the island. Suharyanto, the head of Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency, updated reporters on the ongoing crisis.
- Access to Ngurah Rai International Airport near Denpasar has been severely restricted.
- Currently, only trucks can navigate the roads.
- Approximately 200 rescuers have been dispatched to assist those affected.
Wider Impact Across Indonesia
The heavy rains haven’t just targeted Bali; regions in East Nusa Tenggara have also experienced flooding, leading to four confirmed deaths there as well. These incidents highlight the growing challenges posed by extreme weather patterns in the region.
As the crisis unfolds, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available.