Bali, Indonesia Sentinel — Extreme weather, including heavy rain and strong winds, battered Bali on Sunday (February 9), toppling dozens of trees, damaging homes, causing power outages, and resulting in fatalities.
“As forecasted by Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), extreme weather conditions at the start of the year have led to strong winds bringing down several trees. Authorities are currently handling the situation,” said Ida Bagus Joni Ariwibawa, Head of the Denpasar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), as reported by CNN Indonesia.
According to preliminary data from BPBD Denpasar, at least 18 trees were downed or had branches broken across multiple locations. Gianyar BPBD’s Head of Emergency and Logistics, I Gusti Ngurah Dibya Presasta, confirmed that most of the fallen trees were found along main roads, as reported by TribunBali. No casualties have been reported so far.
Dibya urged the public to be cautious while traveling in extreme weather, as heavy rain and strong winds can easily cause trees to collapse.
“We advise all motorists both two-wheeled and four-wheeled to stop and seek shelter in a safe place during heavy rain and strong winds, avoiding areas at risk of falling trees or landslides,” he said.
Power Disruptions of Bali Weather
Meanwhile, fallen trees also caused damage resulting in a power disruptions in several locations. Eric Rossi Priyo Nugroho, General Manager of PT PLN (Persero) Bali Distribution Unit (UID), stated that teams had been deployed to restore power infrastructure damaged by fallen trees.
“The extreme and unpredictable weather, with heavy rain and strong winds, has caused trees to fall in multiple areas, damaging power poles and disrupting electricity supply to affected locations,” Eric said as reported by CNN Indonesia.
He explained that the storm had affected power networks in Jembrana, Tabanan, Klungkung, Karangasem, Badung, and surrounding areas, disrupting electricity transmission from local substations.
“All power restoration efforts prioritize occupational health and safety (K3), especially since adverse weather conditions persist,” he added.
Homes and Temples Damaged
Aside from fallen trees, strong winds has impacted at least 28 homes in Gilimanuk, Melaya District, Jembrana Regency. While no fatalities were reported, two homes sustained severe damage, according to reports from TribunBali..
In Tabanan Regency, Bali, strong winds also severely damaged a sacred structure at Pura Luhur Tanah Lot in Beraban Village, Kediri District. I Putu Toni Wirawan, Assistant Manager of Tanah Lot’s Tourism Attraction, confirmed that the Utama Mandala area of the temple was damaged by the storm on Sunday afternoon, as reported by BaliExpress.
One of the most notable destructions was the collapse of Bale Saka Nem, a sacred building within Utama Mandala that was under renovation. Several temple decorations and ceremonial umbrellas (tedung) were also destroyed.
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Fatalities Reported
The extreme weather across Bali also claimed lives. Three people were killed when a large tree collapsed on a cockfighting arena in Bungaya Village, Bebandem District, Karangasem Regency, on Sunday (February 9). A widely circulated video showed the massive fallen tree that crushed the site.
Karangasem Police spokesperson Iptu I Gede Sukadana confirmed that nine people were affected by the incident. “In total, nine people were impacted. Three died, two suffered severe injuries, and four sustained minor injuries,” Sukadana said on Sunday (Feb. 9).
There have been no reports of fatalities from the storm in other parts of Bali. However, BMKG continues to monitor weather conditions and has urged the public to remain vigilant.
(Raidi/Agung)
