Bali Floods Ease as Public Works Ministry and BNPB Lead Emergency Response
Key Takeaways
|
JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — The Ministry of Public Works has launched an emergency response in Bali after torrential rainfall measuring 245.5 millimeters in a single day inundated Denpasar and surrounding districts on Wednesday, Sept 10, 2025. The deluge, one of the heaviest in a year, caused flash floods that disrupted traffic, damaged infrastructure, and forced evacuations across the island.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) declared Bali under emergency status for one week, reporting nine confirmed fatalities and six people missing. Search and rescue teams evacuated 142 residents and tourists, including nationals from Australia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea.
Flood response efforts in Denpasar and Badung, Bali, on Wednesday, Sept 10, 2025. Courtesy of Ministry of Public Works
Emergency Measures by Public Works Ministry
Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo confirmed that his ministry deployed heavy equipment, mobile pumps, and excavators to clear clogged waterways and accelerate drainage at Muara Reservoir. By Thursday morning, Sept 11, the water level at the reservoir had dropped from 190 centimeters to 130 centimeters, easing flooding in Denpasar and Badung.
“We have activated rapid response teams with heavy machinery and emergency supplies to stabilize conditions,” Dody said. “Our ministry is working closely with the Bali Penida River Basin Office, the police and military, and local disaster agencies to restore normal activity.”
BNPB identified the extreme rainfall as being driven by equatorial Rossby waves, which intensified water flow in Tukad Badung River to 85.85 cubic meters per second. The overflow flooded housing areas and main roads, including Sunset Road, Legian, Raya Canggu Kerobokan, and the Dewa Ruci underpass.
Flood mitigation equipment deployed in Denpasar and Badung, Bali, on Wednesday, Sept 10, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Ministry of Public Works
BNPB Declares Emergency
BNPB Chief Lieutenant General Suharyanto said the one-week emergency status allows both national and local governments to expedite recovery and reconstruction. The agency distributed Rp 1.015 billion ($65,000) worth of initial relief, including rubber boats, food packages, blankets, tents, and water pumps.
“Emergency status is an administrative tool that enables collaboration,” Suharyanto said. “No leader, however capable, can face disasters alone. With this status, the central government can step in immediately.”
He added that additional resources worth around Rp 5 billion, including generators and pumps, would be mobilized in the coming days.
BNPB Chief Lieutenant General Suharyanto addresses emergency status in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday, Sept 10, 2025. Photo: Antara/Ni Putu Putri Muliantari
Evacuation and Relief
Rescue operations were concentrated in West Denpasar and Badung, where roads and neighborhoods were submerged. Evacuations took place in multiple stages throughout Wednesday, culminating in the rescue of more than 80 people in Pura Demak district.
The police confirmed that foreign tourists were among those rescued, including groups from Saudi Arabia, Australia, Russia, and South Korea. “All foreign nationals have been safely escorted back to their hotels or the airport,” said Bali Search and Rescue Office Head I Nyoman Sidakarya.
The Bali Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, emphasized that securing residents and maintaining basic services in evacuation centers were top priorities. He urged the public to remain vigilant against further flooding or landslides.
Police officers evacuate residents affected by floods in Bali, on Wednesday, Sept 10, 2025. Antara/Police Public Relations Division
As of Wednesday evening, BNPB reported 620 residents across six regencies were directly affected, with infrastructure damage including road collapses and bridge failures. Authorities said reconstruction would begin immediately after waters recede.
The floods highlight Bali’s vulnerability to climate-intensified extreme weather, raising urgency for stronger water management infrastructure and disaster readiness on the island, which remains heavily dependent on tourism and local commerce.
Promo!
Track economic impacts of natural disasters and other key market drivers with InvestingPro. Investortrust readers get exclusive discounts — click here to unlock the offer.