Bali’s Deadly Floods Spark Outrage: Locals Blame Overtourism and Reckless Development as Government Takes Action

Deadly Floods in Bali Spark Outcry Over Overtourism and Environmental Mismanagement

Bali, renowned worldwide as the "Island of the Gods" and a top destination for relaxation and tourism, is grappling with the devastating aftermath of unprecedented flooding. The severe flash floods, which peaked midweek, have tragically claimed at least 18 lives and caused widespread destruction, submerging homes, villas, and commercial establishments across the island.

Searching for Answers: Overtourism and Environmental Impact Under Scrutiny

In the wake of the catastrophe, residents, environmentalists, and authorities are urgently seeking explanations. While heavy rainfall is a natural factor, growing consensus points to human-driven causes exacerbating the disaster. Two primary issues have been highlighted: unregulated overdevelopment, particularly tourism-led construction, and the mismanagement of waste, especially trash clogging Bali’s waterways.

Indonesia’s Environment Minister Hanif Faisal Nurofiq visited Bali following the floods, emphasizing the role of rampant tourism-oriented development in the island’s drainage basins as a critical exacerbating factor. In a rare and significant intervention, Bali’s Governor I Wayan Koster has announced a moratorium on all new commercial construction on agricultural land, signaling an urgent policy shift to reassess development practices.

Transformation of Bali’s Landscape: From Rice Paddies to Tourist Villas

Long-time residents have witnessed their island transform dramatically over the past decade. Putu Oka Darmiati, a resident of Denpasar since 1975, recalled previous flooding in 1989 but described this recent event as the “worst she has ever seen.” She and many others lament the rapid disappearance of rice paddies and green belts, replaced increasingly by villas and resorts driven by tourism demand.

“Development in Bali is moving fast, but laws protecting green-belt zones are frequently ignored,” Darmiati said. “As a result, the people suffer the most.”

Environmental advocacy group Walhi Bali has documented that each year, between 3% and 6% of agricultural land in critical tourism districts like Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan is converted for commercial use. This rapid development often encroaches on protected zones along coasts and rivers, which are naturally prone to disaster risks such as flooding.

Impact on Natural Water Absorption and Drainage

Experts warn that the loss of forests, rice fields, and agricultural land undermines Bali’s natural ability to absorb and drain excess rainfall. Made Krisna Dinata, Executive Director of Walhi Bali, noted that only 3% of Bali’s watershed areas remain forested, far below the ideal 30% needed to retain and absorb rainfall effectively.

I Nyoman Gede Maha Putra, an architecture and planning expert at Warmadewa University, echoed these concerns, highlighting unchecked development along riverbanks, forests, and coastal areas. He pointed to locations such as the Ayung River banks and beach regions including Uluwatu, Canggu, and Seminyak—where tourist facilities have been built perilously close to the water—as clear examples of insufficient disaster mitigation in planning.

Government Response: Construction Moratorium and Disaster Preparedness

In response to the mounting crisis, President Prabowo Subianto visited flood victims over the weekend, assuring locals that the government would support them and intensify efforts toward long-term disaster preparedness. Simultaneously, Environment Minister Nurofiq and Governor Koster jointly announced a halt on new developments on agricultural land across Bali.

“Instructions have been issued to local officials to stop granting new permits for hotels, restaurants, and other commercial facilities that use productive agricultural land, particularly rice paddies,” Governor Koster stated.

While already-approved construction projects may proceed, the moratorium represents a decisive move to curb Bali’s rapid overdevelopment and protect remaining green spaces.

Response from the Tourism Sector

The Bali chapter of Indonesia’s Hotel and Restaurant Association has expressed support for the moratorium. I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya said the pause would allow for evaluation and better planning to balance tourism growth and environmental preservation.

“There is sufficient accommodation capacity now to serve the record number of tourists visiting Bali, so this temporary halt should not harm the tourism sector in the long term,” he said. Bali is on track this year to welcome over 6.5 million foreign visitors, with records already broken in July.

Waste Management Issues Compound Flood Effects

Aside from construction, waste management problems have worsened the flooding’s impact. The closure earlier this year of Bali’s only landfill site, Suwung, has been blamed for increased illegal rubbish dumping into rivers. Residents like Rukayah, who lost her family’s batik store in the floods, describe debris and trash accumulating everywhere, exacerbating the flash floods and complicating recovery efforts.

“The trash came from everywhere,” Rukayah said. “This is the first time I have experienced flooding like this, and every rain now causes anxiety.”

Governor Koster had defended the closure of the landfill as necessary to reduce environmental pollution but urged residents to better manage their trash. However, the failure to establish adequate alternative waste systems has created new environmental hazards.

Looking Ahead: Balancing Tourism, Development, and Environmental Sustainability

With the rainy season just beginning and warnings of extreme weather ahead, many Balinese remain anxious about future floods and the sustainability of the island’s tourism-driven economy. The recent disaster has intensified calls for better governance, environmentally conscious planning, and flood mitigation to preserve Bali’s natural beauty, residents’ wellbeing, and global reputation as a premier travel destination.

The weeks and months ahead will be critical as Bali’s leaders, communities, and stakeholders work together to address the complex challenges of overtourism, environmental degradation, and disaster resilience.