Flooding Sweeps Multiple Locations in Bali, 350 People Evacuated

Flooding Hits Several Areas in Bali, 350 People Evacuated Extreme weather conditions have caused heavy rain and strong winds to hit several areas in Bali, leading to flooding on Tuesday (24 February) and forcing hundreds of residents to be evacuated. The Head of the Bali Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), I Gede Agung Teja Bhusana Yadnya, stated that according to BPBD data, the Bali Provincial BPBD recorded 76 incidents of hydrometeorological disasters on Tuesday (24 February) up to 15:30 WITA. “With details of 42 flooding locations, 5 locations of landslides, 1 location of embankment collapse, 1 location of a tornado, 23 locations of fallen trees, and 4 locations of collapsed retaining walls,” said Agung Teja in a written statement on Tuesday evening (24 February). Agung said that most of the flooding occurred in the city of Denpasar, with 36 locations, followed by Badung Regency with 12 locations, Karangasem Regency with 12 locations, Gianyar Regency with 5 locations, Tabanan Regency with 5 locations, Buleleng Regency with 4 locations, Klungkung Regency with 1 location, and Jembrana Regency with 1 location. “Regarding the handling status, of the total 76 incident locations, several locations have undergone on-site handling according to requests and the needs of the community, as recorded in the operational report,” he said. “Some locations are still in the process of being handled and are continuously monitored periodically, while other locations do not require direct intervention after verification and rapid assessment by officers,” he added. The Bali Provincial BPBD, together with the BPBD of the regencies and cities, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), the Polri (Indonesian National Police), relevant regional agencies, and volunteer elements, carried out evacuations in various flooded areas. In addition, the BPBD also monitored the water level of the Tukad Badung River in Denpasar City and ensured that the downstream sluice gates were in an open and monitored condition. Based on the results of rapid assessments and on-site verification up to 15:30 WITA, the impact caused by this extreme weather event was local and under control. Furthermore, the Bali Provincial BPBD, together with the BPBD of the regencies and cities, continues to collect and update data on the impact. “The preliminary results show that 350 residents have been temporarily evacuated. Damaged and flooded buildings are in the process of being recorded. As of 15:30 WITA, there have been no reports of casualties,” he said. An increase in the water level of the Tukad Badung River occurred in the Badung Market area with the activation of the system due to the accumulation of very heavy rainfall. Then, at 04:00 WITA, the water level increased by 120 cm above normal, the siren sounded with a standby status, and at 08:24 WITA, the water level increased by 120 cm above normal, the siren sounded with a standby status. Subsequently, at 09:26 WITA, the siren sounded again with a standby status as a response to fluctuations in the water level. These fluctuations in water level were influenced by the intensity of rainfall still occurring in the upstream area. “Currently, the water level is gradually decreasing and is being continuously monitored intensively through the monitoring system and personnel in the field,” he said. Agus Teja said that very heavy rainfall for two consecutive days was the dominant factor in increasing river discharge and flooding in several areas, especially in areas with high population density. (kdf/rds)