Bali has been hit by a spell of extreme weather in recent days, with heavy rain accompanied by strong winds wreaking havoc across the island. Residents are being urged to remain vigilant as the downpour has led to disasters in several areas of Bali.
According to the Head of the Bali Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Made Rentin, based on weather forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) from March 13th to 15th, 2024, there is a potential for moderate to heavy rain throughout Bali. This high precipitation poses risks of hydro-meteorological disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and inundations in residential and agricultural areas, potentially causing damage to crops.
“Analysis of Tropical Cyclone Seeds 91S (with a speed range of 65 km/h), 94S (with a speed range of 37 km/h), and 93P (with a speed range of 37 km/h) in the Indian Ocean has resulted in indirect impacts such as moderate sea waves (1.25 – 2.5 m) in the waters around Bali, such as the southern part of the Bali Strait, Badung Strait, Lombok Strait, and Bali Sea,” Rentin stated in a press release on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024.
Residents are advised to remain cautious of the extreme weather’s impacts, including waterlogging, floods, landslides, and falling trees. Additionally, fishermen and marine tourism operators are warned of the potential for strong winds and waves reaching up to 2 meters in the waters surrounding Bali. It is essential to stay updated with reliable information from relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, BPBD Bali has reported several incidents as of March 13th caused by wet hydro-meteorological conditions. These include fallen trees in Karangasem, one fatality due to a fallen tree in Badung, fallen trees in Buleleng, Bangli, and Tabanan, as well as collapsed embankments in Jembrana. The incidents in Jembrana resulted in no casualties but incurred an estimated total loss of Rp 138 million, while losses in Tabanan and Bangli were estimated at Rp 15 million and Rp 80 million respectively.
In a separate development, tourists in Bali are facing warnings of tidal waves following a surge of powerful waves along the coastline. The Denpasar Center for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics has issued alerts for ‘moderate to heavy rain’ and ‘strong winds’ across coastal areas, urging visitors to stay away from the water until conditions improve. Authorities have also deployed red flags along vulnerable stretches of coastline, signaling danger to beachgoers.
Tourists are further cautioned about potential hazards such as falling trees, flooding, and landslides across the island. Tragically, an Australian couple lost their lives in a landslide that swept away their villa while they were asleep last week, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Authorities emphasize the importance of heeding safety warnings and staying informed during this period of extreme weather.
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