The Tragedy of Buleleng Flash Floods: Death While Saving Car—One Child Still Missing
A flash flood in Banjar Village, Banjar District, Buleleng Regency, Bali, on Friday, 6 March 2026, claimed four lives, one of whom remains missing.
The four victims were Ketut Adi Suarjana (55), Komang Suci (44), and her two children, Putu Wini (17) and Kadek Wahyu (12). Putu Wini has not yet been located.
First Victim Swept Away Whilst Saving His Vehicle
Heavy rain that began falling in the area on Friday night at 18:15 Wita triggered a sudden surge in water levels that swept away four residents. The first victim discovered dead was Dewa Ketut Adi Suarjana (55), a resident of Santal Hamlet. He was carried away by the current whilst attempting to move his vehicle, which was parked in front of his house.
The head of Santal Hamlet, Ketut Sudiadika, stated that the water level was still relatively low when the victim began moving his car. However, the situation changed dramatically within minutes.
“When the victim got into his car to move the vehicle, suddenly the flood swelled and swept away the victim along with the car,” said Sudiadika on Saturday, 7 March 2026.
Adi managed to exit the vehicle and attempted to save himself. He tried to hold onto a coffee tree nearby, but the powerful current carrying large tree trunks struck his body and swept him away.
Residents who witnessed the incident attempted to help but were unable to approach due to the force of the current.
After the water began to subside around 23:00 Wita, residents conducted a search along Pangkung Santal.
The victim was found approximately 800 metres from where he was initially swept away. His body was caught in bamboo undergrowth and was already deceased.
“When searching, I first saw the victim’s head caught in the bamboo; his body was covered in mud and debris,” said Nyoman Putra Arjaya, the resident who discovered the body.
Flood Sweeps Away Entire Family
The family of Kadek Witana was among the hardest hit in the incident. Three family members—Komang Suci (44) and her two children, Putu Wini (17) and Kadek Wahyu (12)—were reported missing after being swept away by the flash flood.
Nyoman Mudra, a family member of one of the victims, said that in this incident, an entire family became victims.
“Three people are missing: the mother and her two children,” said Nyoman Mudra at the incident location on Saturday, 7 March 2026.
Perbekel (village chief) of Banjar Village, Ida Bagus Dedy Suyasa, explained that when the flood came, Putu Wini was recording the water beginning to overflow using her mobile phone. At that time, Suci and Wahyu were inside their home, whilst their father, Kadek Witana, was outside.
Shortly afterwards, the surge from Mendaum River carrying mud and large tree trunks struck their house. The western wall collapsed and swept away all three of them.
“The victims were saying ‘flood’ whilst recording with their mobile phone, but suddenly a large flood came and hit the house, sweeping all three away,” said Dedy.
In addition to the fatalities, the flash flood damaged dozens of homes in Banjar Village. The village government is continuing to assess the total damage and losses.
“So far, we have received reports of dozens of damaged homes, but we are still compiling the exact number,” he added.
Mother’s Body Found in Debris
The head of Denpasar I Search and Rescue Office, Nyoman Sidakarya, stated that the discovery of Komang Suci’s body was the result of the second day of search operations after the floodwaters struck the area.
“Based on reports from Buleleng Corps, a total of four victims were reported swept away by the flash flood. Two victims had already been found previously,” said Sidakarya.
The 44-year-old female victim was found at 13:56 Wita amongst piles of debris and rubbish carried by the flood. A combined SAR team then evacuated the victim’s body at 14:18 Wita and immediately transported her to Buleleng Regional General Hospital.
“We have already informed the family to conduct an identification, because the victim found is an adult female. Meanwhile, the victim still not found is a child,” he explained.
Second Child’s Body Found at Sea
The body of Kadek Wahyu was found floating at sea on the third day of the search, Sunday, 8 March 2026. The coordinator of Buleleng SAR Post, Kadek Donny Indrawan, stated that the search for the remaining missing victim continued from early morning with teams divided across several search locations.
He explained that at 08:30 Wita the sea SAR team began searching using a rubber boat. Four personnel from Buleleng SAR Post along with Balawista personnel swept the waters from Banjar Beach towards the west.
Meanwhile, a rubber boat belonging to the Marine Police of Buleleng Police Resort with three personnel conducted searches towards the north. At another location, combined SAR units swept along Banjar River and towards the coast as well as around the location where the first victim was found.
In addition, heavy equipment was deployed to lift large piles of material carried by the flash flood. Around 11:40 Wita, the sea SAR team returned to Banjar Beach but had not yet found the victim.
The search resumed at 14:00 Wita with sweeping of the waters towards the west by Buleleng SAR Post personnel. Subsequently, at 15:07 Wita the Marine Police rubber boat resumed searching towards the east.
“The search in the waters found the target at approximately 15:42 Wita,” said Donny.
Wahyu was found still wearing a blue t-shirt. His body was found in the waters of Dencarik Village, approximately 3.5 kilometres from the victim’s home. The body was then evacuated and transported to Buleleng Regional General Hospital.