BALI – Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has issued a week-long state of emergency in Bali after severe floods caused widespread destruction. Heavy rain poured down from 9 September, continuing into the next day, which led to flash floods and landslides across the island.
At least 15 people have died and six are missing, while over 600 residents from more than 200 households have been affected. The flooding has damaged roads, homes, and businesses in areas including Denpasar, Jembrana, Badung, and Gianyar.
Officials decided on a shorter emergency period, reducing it from two weeks to one, to speed up relief work and manage resources more efficiently. This report covers the situation as of 12 September 2025, with details on the impact and ongoing response.
Locals have described the recent floods as the worst in memory, leaving many neighbourhoods and tourist spots damaged. Rainfall exceeded 150 millimetres in some places, overflowing rivers and sending mud, rocks, and debris into low-lying areas.
In Denpasar, floodwaters reached up to 2.5 metres, flooding homes, shops, and vehicles. Main roads to Ngurah Rai International Airport were blocked, making them accessible only to large trucks. This has caused long delays for locals and tourists.
Videos widely shared online show vehicles stuck in traffic and people wading through water nearly waist-high.
Bali Streets Flooded
Rescue teams, including military, police, and local agencies, have deployed between 400 and 600 personnel to help remove debris, locate missing people, and organize evacuations. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Bali has sent about 60 volunteers to the affected area to assess damage, distribute clean water, set up community kitchens, and help with evacuations.
By midday on 11 September, water levels started to drop in some zones, especially in Badung, allowing limited travel again. Even where water has receded, streets are still coated with thick mud, cars remain overturned, and power and water supplies are disrupted. Many businesses had to use generators due to these outages.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto directed BNPB to supervise relief work on the ground. Supplies have been dispatched, including tents, food, blankets, mattresses, water pumps, and rubber boats. A fast-response team supported by heavy machinery and mobile pumps is clearing mud and working to restore roads and public infrastructure. The government released 1 billion IDR (over 60,700 USD) in immediate relief to help those in urgent need.
The floods have caused tragic losses across Bali. By 12 September, 15 confirmed deaths had been reported, including five in Denpasar, and four combined in Jembrana, Gianyar, and Badung. There have also been casualties in the Nagekeo district of East Nusa Tenggara.
In Denpasar, four people died when a building at Kumbasari market collapsed and was taken by floodwaters. Two more in Jembrana died by electrocution after being swept away. Six people are still missing as search crews face tough conditions.
Buildings Collapse
There are also injuries, though authorities have not released exact numbers. The floods have forced more than 800 people from their homes, with around 200 housed in temporary shelters such as schools and mosques.
In East Nusa Tenggara, a mother and child died after being trapped in mud, and a man in Loka Laba village also lost his life. The stress and uncertainty are affecting everyone, with many, like Australian Kim Eastough in Legian, fearing more flooding and ongoing cleanup.
The floods have caused major destruction, particularly in Denpasar, Jembrana, Badung, and Gianyar. At least 15 buildings have either collapsed or been badly damaged, including two in Denpasar.
Landslides in 18 areas across Karangasem, Gianyar, and Badung have damaged roads, bridges, and public facilities. In Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara, two bridges, government offices, plantations, rice fields, and livestock have all been lost, deepening economic problems for locals.
Tourism, which is vital for Bali, has suffered as hotels and businesses in hotspots like Kuta and Legian struggle with flooded buildings and power cuts. Access to Ngurah Rai International Airport has been limited, leaving some travellers stranded.
One German tourist, Philipp Peltz, described a difficult three-and-a-half-hour drive to the airport through rising waters. Many believe Bali’s ongoing problems with rubbish and blocked drains have worsened the flooding. More than 1,300 structures across the island have been damaged, while cleanup is slow with roads and properties buried under debris.
Restoring Electricity and Clearing Roads
Both natural and man-made issues have contributed to the scale of the disaster. Bali’s rainy season (September to March) often brings heavy storms, but changing climate patterns have made these events stronger.
Low-lying land, poor drainage, deforestation, and rapid tourism growth have all made the island more vulnerable. Residents and tourists, including Peltz, have raised concerns about how overdevelopment and poor planning are making things worse. Many are now calling for better infrastructure and greener building methods to reduce risks in the future.
The week-long state of emergency that started on 10 September allows relief teams to coordinate closely and direct resources where they are needed. Bali governor Wayan Koster and Denpasar mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara are leading the recovery work, focusing on restoring electricity, clearing roads, and helping those forced to leave their homes.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned that rain could continue for another three days, advising residents to be prepared and relocate if needed.
By 12 September, conditions in some areas are beginning to stabilize. Fast action by government and community volunteers is helping recovery, but the widespread damage highlights the need for long-term solutions. These floods are a clear sign of the growing threats from climate change and rapid urban growth in Bali and other vulnerable areas.
