Bali Governor Koster Requests River Normalisation Following Flash Floods in Banjar, Buleleng
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has requested the River Basin Authority (BWS) to conduct river normalisation in Banjar District, Buleleng. Koster stated that river management works are necessary to prevent flash floods from striking the area again.
“I will task the BWS with conducting river normalisation and improving future flood mitigation measures,” Koster said when meeting with flood-affected residents in Buleleng on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
Koster explained that the Bali Provincial Government will also investigate possible illegal logging activities that may have exacerbated the flooding in Banjar, Buleleng. However, Koster emphasised that this must first be verified by checking field conditions.
“Regarding the possibility of illegal logging activities in the upstream area, this will be examined further. We must first determine whether that area is forest land or actually belongs to the community,” added the PDIP politician.
According to Koster, residents also proposed raising riverbanks to reduce the risk of water overflow during heavy rainfall. The two-term Bali Governor pledged to coordinate with the BWS to implement this proposal.
Distributing 1.26 Billion Rupiah in Assistance
On this occasion, Koster distributed 1.263 billion rupiah in assistance to residents affected by the flash floods in Buleleng. The assistance is used for house repairs, public facilities, and the needs of affected families.
Koster acknowledged that he could only meet directly with affected residents due to prior commitments. However, he stated that the Bali Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) team has been on site since the disaster began to conduct surveys.
“I apologise for arriving only now. However, from the start I assigned the Bali Provincial BPBD to be on site to survey all affected residents,” said Koster.
According to preliminary surveys, the flash floods caused 31 houses to be damaged, ranging from severe, moderate, to light damage. The Bali Provincial Government, he continued, is providing cash assistance ranging from 5 million to 30 million rupiah based on the level of house damage.
Additionally, assistance is being provided to families of casualties from the flash floods in Banjar Village. The Bali Provincial Government is disbursing 15 million rupiah per casualty, totalling 45 million rupiah for three victims from the Kadek Witana family.
The Bali Provincial Government is also allocating approximately 726 million rupiah to repair damaged clean water installations in 12 affected villages. Koster emphasised that victim surveys are continuing to ensure no residents are left out from receiving assistance.
“There may still be residents who have not been surveyed. I request the BPBD, district head, and village heads to ensure all affected victims receive assistance,” he concluded.
As is known, the flash floods struck Banjar Village, Buleleng, on Friday, 6 March. Three people were found dead and one person remains missing.
The three fatalities consist of Ketut Adi Suarjana (55), Komang Suci (44) and her son Kadek Wahyu (12). The missing person is Putu Wini (17), also a child of Komang Suci.