Residents Demand Government Action on Flood Prevention in Buleleng Following Flash Flood Disaster
Residents affected by the flash flood in Banjar Village, Banjar District, Buleleng Regency, are calling on the government to move beyond promises regarding flood management. Communities are urging the immediate realisation of river embankment or retaining wall construction.
The flash flood struck Banjar Village in Banjar District, Buleleng, Bali, on Friday evening, 6 March. Heavy rainfall that began at 18:15 local time in the region triggered a sudden surge in water levels.
Four residents were reported swept away by the flood waters in Banjar, Buleleng. Three individuals have been found dead, whilst one other victim remains missing and is being actively searched for by combined search and rescue teams.
One resident, Ketut Sabtu Sukarta, stated that promises to build the embankment had been made since the 2017 flood. However, the project has still not been realised to date.
“The water is overwhelming. Please build the embankment quickly. If it’s not addressed, we don’t mind if we have floods every day as long as something is done about it. What we want is for this community to be protected by an embankment quickly, not just empty talk,” Sukarta said on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
He noted that this flood was even larger than the 2017 flood. According to him, there had been a plan to build the embankment at that time, but nine years have passed without realisation.
“There has been a plan since 2017 to build the embankment, but nothing has materialised. Now it’s 2026, another flood has come and four people are dead. Stop the talk and please address this immediately,” he emphasised.
“There were officials who promised to build the embankment, but nothing has happened. It’s all just talk. Now the flood comes again and another promise is made. If you’re not going to build the embankment, then don’t make promises,” he said.
According to Sukarta, the location is a public access road that serves as the main route for residents to reach the main highway. For this reason, the community hopes that a higher embankment will be constructed so that residents can continue their activities safely.
“This is a public access road leading to the main highway. We want a higher embankment so that activities can continue unimpeded. There are also many children who play in this river,” he said.
He also recounted how during the flood, the water rose to the height of an adult’s neck. At that time, he received a call from his family informing him of the danger whilst he was away from home.
“I was away yesterday when my brother called to say the water had already reached neck height. Many trees were also swept away during yesterday’s flood,” he added.
Nevertheless, Sukarta expressed gratitude to the officials who had helped clear flood debris.
“We are also grateful to the fire department and disaster management agency who helped clear the roads that were blocked by mud,” he concluded.