Another Big Wave Could Wipe Out Fisherman's Home at Monggalan Beach

The rumbling waves at Pantai Monggalan Beach in Kusamba Village, Dawan Subdistrict, Klungkung, Bali, have become a terror for Wayan Galung (52). The fisherman is acutely aware that his life and home hang by a thread. Another big wave could see his 2011-built house collapse into the sea.

Met by detikBali at his home, Galung explained he only returned two days ago after evacuating to a relative’s house due to extreme tidal surges relentlessly battering the coastline.

The area in front of Galung’s home is now in ruins. A large tree that once provided shade from the sun has fallen, its roots eroded by coastal abrasion. The tree stands as a silent witness to the relentless encroachment of the sea towards his living room.

“I only returned here two days ago after evacuating. I’m worried, but what can I do? This is our only home. I’ve left the tree as a temporary barrier. Someone asked for it a while ago, but I refused,” Galung told detikBali at the scene on Monday, 25 May 2026.

The situation at Pantai Monggalan is now desolate and concerning. Of the many residents who once lived along the coast, only two households remain. Others have left because their homes were destroyed or out of fear of erosion.

The threat occurs every high tide. Powerful waves mercilessly crash against the remaining structures. Sea water even floods into Galung’s home.

“When the tide is high, the waves hit the walls. Water floods in, rising up to my knees,” he lamented.

The erosion’s impact not only threatens physical safety but also kills the community’s economic lifeline. Galung’s wife, Ni Made Wati (50), runs a small stall at their home. Previously, it provided decent supplementary income from fishermen and beachgoers.

Now, the stall’s condition is starkly different. Since erosion worsened and damaged the access road to the beach, the stall has fallen silent.

“It’s quiet, but we still open. Sometimes a few people from behind buy something,” Wati said.

In this emergency, Galung and the remaining household can only hope for government intervention. They urge relevant agencies to act swiftly to protect Pantai Monggalan before the sea completely inundates their remaining living space.

“Our only hope is for the government to build a coastal breakwater here quickly. If not addressed soon, our homes could be level with the sea within weeks,” Galung said hopefully.

Kusamba Village government has recorded all affected residents, including Wayan Galung.

So far, he has been promised house renovation assistance using his own land. Those without land will be helped to build row houses.

“We don’t want to live in row houses. So I’m borrowing my relative’s land for the renovation. But I still hope the government can quickly build the breakwater so we can stay here,” Galung added.