Bali, Indonesia Sentinel — Seven foreign tourists were trapped in a villa after flood hit Jalan Bumi Ayu in Sanur Kaja Village, Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday (February 11). The tourists, who were staying at the villa when the floodwaters rose, were unable to leave the premises.
The Denpasar Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) received a report about the stranded tourists at around 9:00 a.m. local time. I Nyoman Gede Putra, head of the agency’s emergency response unit, immediately deployed a team along with an inflatable boat to evacuate them.
“We conducted an evacuation for seven foreign tourists affected by the flooding. They were visitors from Europe and Asia,” Putra told detikBali on Wednesday (February 12, 2025), as reported by Kompas.
Floodwaters in the area reached heights of 70 to 75 centimeters (27 to 29 inches). BPBD dispatched a lifeguard team and an inflatable boat to transport the stranded tourists to safety.
“They were on vacation but couldn’t go anywhere due to the flooding. They needed assistance to leave the villa,” Putra said. “They decided to check out and find new accommodations.”
Flood in Bali
Authorities downplayed the severity of the incident, describing it as a water accumulation rather than a major flood. Putra attributed the flooding to a combination of factors, including the low-lying nature of the area, three consecutive days of heavy rain, and the limited capacity of the drainage system.
Typically, rainwater in the region flows toward Sanur Beach. However, high tides prevented the water from draining properly, causing it to pool in lower-lying areas.
“When the water levels rose, it coincided with high tide, preventing drainage into the sea. As a result, the water remained stagnant in the lowest areas,” Putra explained.
The water level has since started to recede as rainfall intensity decreases. “Once the tide goes down, it usually takes one to two hours for the water to drain. It depends on tidal conditions and rainfall. The situation is already improving,” he added.
Extreme Weather Warning
Bali is currently experiencing extreme weather conditions due to the impact of tropical cyclone seed 96S. The effects of the weather system have been felt across the island over the past few days, with strong winds and heavy rainfall.
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Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an early warning regarding severe weather conditions in several parts of Bali. In response, BPBD has urged both residents and tourists to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions while in the region.
(Raidi/Agung)
