Bali Flooding: A Developing Crisis - What You Need to Know (September 2025)
Bali, the “Island of the Gods,” is currently facing a devastating natural disaster. Unprecedented flooding has swept across major population centers, resulting in loss of life, widespread displacement, and significant infrastructure damage. This article provides the latest updates, safety information, and explores the factors contributing to this crisis.
The Situation as it Stands
As of September 11, 2025, the flooding, triggered by relentless rainfall beginning Tuesday, has claimed at least a dozen lives. Tragically, this number is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue and more areas become accessible. hundreds remain missing, and countless others have been left stranded.
The hardest-hit areas include:
Denpasar: The capital city has reported five confirmed fatalities.
Jembrana, Gianyar, and Badung: Four deaths have been recorded across these regions.
Kumbasari Market, Denpasar: A building collapse resulted in the discovery of eight bodies.
Visual evidence, like the harrowing footage circulating online (see below), paints a stark picture of the devastation.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3fPZtlcMlQ4
Impact on Daily Life & Infrastructure
The floods have severely disrupted daily life for Balinese residents and visitors alike. Manny communities are wholly isolated, with homes inundated and access to essential services cut off.
Here’s a breakdown of the key impacts:
Transportation: Roads are either submerged or gridlocked with peopel attempting to evacuate. This is exacerbating the already challenging traffic conditions typical of Bali.
Airport Access: Reaching Denpasar’s international airport is proving difficult due to the widespread congestion. Travel delays are anticipated.
Essential Services: Power outages and disruptions to water supplies are widespread.
Personal Accounts: Residents like Ni Made Anggraeni of Denpasar describe being completely cut off, stating, “From yesterday morning to the morning of today, the rain never stopped. All my life living in Bali, this is the first time this happened.”
Rescue & Relief Efforts
Emergency responders are working tirelessly to reach those stranded. Rescue teams are navigating flooded neighborhoods by boat and on foot,providing assistance to those in need. The government has mobilized resources, but the scale of the disaster is presenting significant logistical challenges.
Local resident Ardiansyah expressed concern, telling ABC News, “I hope the Denpasar government will handle it soon… it’s never happened like this before.”
What Caused This Unprecedented Flooding?
While Bali experiences a rainy season,the intensity and duration of this rainfall are unusual. Several factors are likely contributing to the severity of the flooding:
La Niña: The current La Niña weather pattern is known to bring increased rainfall to the Indonesian archipelago. Deforestation: Loss of forest cover reduces the land’s ability to absorb rainfall, increasing runoff.
Urbanization: Rapid development and inadequate drainage systems exacerbate flooding risks in urban areas.
Climate Change: Increasingly erratic weather patterns, linked to climate change, are contributing to more frequent and intense extreme weather events globally.
Staying Safe & Informed
If you are currently in bali:
Heed Local Warnings: Pay close attention to alerts and instructions from local authorities.
Seek Higher Ground: If you live in a flood-prone area, evacuate to higher ground instantly.
Conserve Resources: Ration food and water, and be prepared for potential power outages.
Stay Connected: Keep your phone charged and monitor news updates.
Check Travel Plans: If you are scheduled to travel to Bali, check with your airline and accommodation provider for updates.
resources:
Indonesian National Disaster management Agency (BNPB): https://www.bnpb.go.id/
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News Coverage: [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-10/at-least-nine-dead-in-bali-indonesia-floods/1
