Ministers Assure Tourist Safety Amid Continued Flooding in Bali’s Canggu Area
September 15, 2025 — Bali, Indonesia
In the wake of widespread flooding across Bali, including the popular tourist destination of Canggu, Indonesian government officials have stepped forward to reaffirm the safety of the island for visitors. Following the heavy rains and floods that struck in early September, the government is actively assessing damage while assuring travelers that tourism activities continue without disruption.
Assessment and Government Response
On September 13, Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Widiyanti Wardhana traveled to Bali to personally inspect the flood-affected areas, with a focused visit to Denpasar’s Kumbasari Market. The market has been among the hardest hit public spaces, where many vendors have suffered damage to their homes and loss of livelihood due to the floods.
Minister Wardhana engaged with local residents and business owners to understand the extent of the devastation. She acknowledged the severity of the flooding, which affected multiple regions including Denpasar, Badung Regency, and Gianyar Regency. Tragically, more than 14 fatalities have been reported as recovery teams continue operations amidst debris and rapidly changing conditions.
Despite the challenges, Minister Wardhana emphasized the resilience of Bali’s tourism sector. “We have checked that there are no cancellations at all from tourists, no flight or hotel cancellations, even though it is very full, it is normal,” she said, underscoring that tourism remains steady. The Bali Provincial Government is presently calculating the full scope of the damage, with plans underway for community compensation particularly in severely impacted zones.
Safety Advisories and Ongoing Precautions
Addressing travel advisories issued by foreign governments, Minister Wardhana remarked that such warnings are not cause for panic or immediate changes in travel plans, but rather encourage awareness and preparedness. “Tourism is okay, well, if there is a travel warning, it is a common thing for a country to warn its citizens who travel abroad. But I think Bali will rise back to normal, I think so,” she stated confidently.
In line with directives from President Prabowo Subianto, the Ministry of Tourism is committed to promoting Bali as a welcoming and secure tourism destination, even as recovery efforts continue.
Deputy for Destination Development and Infrastructure, Hariyanto, advised tourists to prioritize safety by staying informed and prepared. “Travelers should bring umbrellas or raincoats during outdoor activities and regularly check weather updates from reliable sources, such as tour operators or the Center for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG),” he instructed. The BMKG provides up-to-date weather information through its Bali Instagram account, offering a valuable resource for tourists on the island.
The Ministry is also coordinating with local authorities to restore affected infrastructure and mitigate flood impacts to enable a swift return to normal tourism operations.
New Flooding Hits Canggu and Other Southern Bali Areas
Less than two days following the Minister’s visit, more heavy rainfall caused flooding along Bali’s southern coast, notably in the Canggu tourism resort area. Continuous rain on Monday morning led to rising waters in residential and commercial neighborhoods. Local business owner Wayan Subawa shared his concerns, noting that he has taken precautions after losses incurred during the previous flooding. “I’m worried that the water will go inside. Yesterday, the eggs were carried away by the current. But now it has been secured,” he said, explaining that stock has been moved to higher shelves as a precaution.
Flooding also affected parts of Seminyak and various streets in Denpasar, including Bukit Tunggal Street, Tukad Badung Street, and Gunung Rinjani Street by Monday afternoon, further underscoring the ongoing weather challenges.
The Bali government and tourism officials continue to monitor conditions closely and encourage visitors to stay informed and cautious, while affirming that Bali remains a safe and attractive destination despite recent floods. Travelers are urged to keep abreast of weather updates and follow guidance from local authorities to ensure a safe and enjoyable stay on the island.
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