Deadly Floods Shake Bali: Locals Blame Overtourism and Overdevelopment
Bali, Indonesia — In the wake of catastrophic flooding that claimed at least 18 lives and caused widespread destruction across the Indonesian island of Bali, residents are demanding answers as they grapple with the scale of the disaster and its underlying causes. The flooding, which peaked on a recent Wednesday, inundated homes, villas, shops, and key infrastructure, triggering a crisis not seen before by many locals.
A Growing Crisis Fueled by Development and Waste
The extraordinary rainfall, while a natural event, has spotlighted deeper issues affecting the island’s environment and infrastructure. Among the primary concerns raised by authorities, environmental advocates, and residents are overdevelopment geared toward tourism expansion and the accumulation of trash clogging rivers and waterways.
Indonesia’s Environment Minister, Hanif Faisal Nurofiq, visited the flood-stricken areas, attributing the severity of the flooding partly to the rapid conversion of agricultural and coastal land into tourism facilities—including hotels and villas—often in violation of zoning laws. He emphasized the deteriorating state of Bali’s watersheds, noting that only 3 percent of these areas remain forested, far below the ideal 30 percent necessary to absorb and mitigate the impact of heavy rains.
Transformation and Its Toll on Traditional Landscapes
Many Balinese have witnessed a dramatic transformation of their island within the past decade. Traditional rice paddies and agricultural land have steadily given way to commercial tourism developments. Putu Oka Darmiati, a resident of Denpasar since 1975, recalls previous floods but describes this recent event as unprecedented in its scale and impact.
“The development in Bali is going fast … but the laws have been ignored because areas that are supposed to be a green-belt zone are being developed,” she lamented. “In the end, we the people suffer from the impact. But what else can we do? We’ve submitted complaints but even though they respond, they don’t do anything about it.”
Environmental organization Walhi Bali has closely monitored this trend. It reports that between 3 to 6 percent of agricultural land in critical tourism districts such as Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan has been converted to commercial use annually. These developments frequently encroach on coastal zones and river basins, areas known to be prone to natural disasters.
Lack of Disaster-Prepared Development
Academic experts echo these concerns. Architecture and planning specialist I Nyoman Gede Maha Putra from Warmadewa University highlights that much of Bali’s recent expansion has occurred on lands ill-suited for construction, including rice fields, forests, and riverbanks—areas traditionally acting as natural buffers during heavy rainfall.
“The banks of the Ayung River, for example, have become prime locations for villas and luxury housing investments,” he said, citing similar patterns along Bali’s coasts in popular areas like Uluwatu, Canggu, and Seminyak. “This clearly demonstrates the lack of disaster mitigation considerations.”
Government Response: Moratorium on New Developments
In response to these findings and public outcry, Bali’s Governor I Wayan Koster declared a moratorium on new commercial construction on agricultural land across the island. This regulatory halt aims to address the rapid and unchecked development contributing to worsening flood risks.
“After handling this flood, we will meet again to stop issuing permits for hotels, restaurants, and other facilities using productive land, especially rice paddies,” Governor Koster announced.
While the duration of the moratorium remains unclear, existing construction projects are expected to proceed. Local tourism bodies, including the Badung chapter of Indonesia’s Hotel and Restaurant Association, have expressed support for the pause, recognizing the need to balance development with environmental preservation to sustain tourism in the long term.
Tourism Under Threat Amid Environmental Challenges
Bali expects to welcome over 6.5 million foreign tourists this year, with recent months breaking visitor records, underscoring tourism’s vital role in the island’s economy. However, with flooding potentially threatening its natural charm and infrastructure, concerns grow about the long-term viability of Bali as a premier travel destination.
Environmental degradation, coupled with a waste management crisis exacerbated by the controversial closure of the Suwung landfill earlier this year, has compounded the issue. Residents report illegal dumping of rubbish into rivers, which clogs waterways and intensified the flooding’s destructive force.
Looking Ahead
As the rainy season continues and warnings of further extreme weather loom, Balinese communities remain on high alert. For many, the recent floods have been a devastating wake-up call about the urgent need to reconsider and reform land use, development policies, and waste management practices on the island.
With coordinated efforts from the government, environmental groups, tourism stakeholders, and the community, Bali faces the crucial challenge of safeguarding its environment while sustaining its economic lifeblood. Only through such balanced actions can the "Island of the Gods" hope to withstand future natural disasters and preserve its beauty for generations to come.
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