Falling Trees, Landslides and Flooding Risk Tourist Safety in Bali's Top Destinations
Bali may be one of the safest destinations for vacation travel in the world, but during this rainy season, a different set of risks arises. Bali currently ranks 83 on the Traveler Safety Index, with scams the greatest concern.
With the rainy season still in effect for at least another month, tourists should also be aware of the risks of falling trees, landslides, and flooding.
Since Saturday, 21st February, Bali has been hit with torrential rain. While by Wednesday afternoon the clouds had started to dry up, extreme weather warnings are in place across the island until the 26th February and could be extended.
Bali is technically over the peak of the rainy season, but that doesn’t mean that this weather pattern is behind us.
This rain season arrived a full month earlier than usual and brought about the worst flooding in more than 70 years in September.
With this rainy season acting in different ways, it’s hard to forecast when it will end. Typically, the dry season begins mid-April, with the last heavy rains falling the last week of March, and in some areas the first week of April.
With this in mind, tourists in Bali right now and those traveling to the province in the coming month and a half need to be aware of the weather and the impact that it could have on safety and travel around the island. As experienced by dozens of tourists this week, flooding is a serious problem in areas like Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Canggu.
The Bali Police Rescue Units have been working across the central south of the island, helping to evacuate local community members from their homes, as well as tourists from their accommodation, when flood waters rose suddenly over the last few days. The flood sirens that sit along the banks of the Badung River have also sounded, as the river has risked bursting its banks.
It is not only flooding that is a serious concern to tourists, but also landslides and falling trees. These types of incidents are difficult to predict, but tourists must be aware of.
Tourists in Bali have been killed by falling trees in the past, including at top attractions like the Ubud Monkey Forest.
While attraction staff and local community members do all they can to prune trees and secure hills and slopes, ultimately Mother Nature will take her course.
Over the last five days, hundreds of millions of rupiah worth of damage have been done to homes, business premises, community and temple buildings as a result of landslides, fallen trees, and flooding.
Kelembu Temple in Mas Village, just outside of central Ubud, was impacted by a landslide that destroyed three major temple structures and caused more than IDR 500 million in damage.
While no one was injured, the community estimates that it will take weeks to clear up and rebuild.
Tourists traveling in Bali must be extra mindful and patient as communities work to get through this rainy season.
Tourists should be cooperative with local security teams who may have closed off or restricted access to areas of attractions for public safety, as well as drivers who will be taking alternative routes to prioritize safety, as the risk of landslides, fallen trees, and flooding continues alongside damage already recorded across many of Bali’s busiest roads.
It is essential that tourists take out fully comprehensive travel insurance prior to traveling to Bali and to check the policy to understand what is and is not covered. Tourists should also understand how to make a claim and access support in the event of an emergency, as well as how to contact their embassy or consulate in Indonesia.
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