Bali’s worst floods in decade leave 14 dead

At least 14 people have died and two others remain missing after torrential rains triggered the worst flooding to hit Bali in more than ten years, officials said on Thursday.

The downpours, which began earlier this week, overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems, causing waters to surge through towns and villages across the popular tourist island.

In Denpasar, the provincial capital, eight people were killed when rising waters swept through residential neighborhoods.

“People here were shocked. The flooding was so bad,” said Tasha, a local resident who spoke to BBC News Indonesia.

“I thought Bali had adequate drainage.”

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated since Tuesday as homes and businesses were submerged.

Landslides cut off access to several mountain villages, while at least two bridges were badly damaged, disrupting transport links to the island’s rural interior.

Major roads remained closed in several districts on Thursday, hampering rescue efforts.

Search and rescue teams said that while rainfall had eased and water levels were beginning to recede, the danger was not yet over.

Officials warned of further landslides in steep terrain already saturated by days of downpour.

Bali’s provincial government declared a week-long state of emergency, allowing authorities to mobilize additional resources and provide aid to affected communities.

Evacuation shelters have been set up in schools and community halls, with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency distributing food, water, and medical supplies.

Images from the island showed families wading through waist-high water, vehicles stranded on flooded streets, and piles of debris swept downriver.

President Joko Widodo has been briefed on the disaster, though no immediate plans for a visit have been announced.

The floods are a stark reminder of Indonesia’s vulnerability to extreme weather, which experts say is being intensified by climate change and rapid urban development that strains local drainage infrastructure.

For now, authorities are urging residents to remain alert.

“We are still searching for survivors, and conditions remain dangerous,” said Made Rentin, head of Bali’s disaster agency.

“We ask the public to follow official instructions and stay in safe areas.”

The floods come at the height of Bali’s tourist season, though officials stressed that major hotels and resorts in popular beach destinations such as Kuta and Seminyak were largely unaffected.

Still, for many residents, the disaster is a painful reminder of the island’s vulnerability.

“Bali is beautiful, but we are not ready for floods like this,” Tasha said.