Cliff Collapse In Popular Bali Tourism Resort Sparks Safety Fears

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It is fair to say that this monsoon season has triggered some of the most landscape-altering natural disasters in recent history.

With the province in the midst of the annual rainy season, the public is advised to move with caution and take a risk-averse approach, especially in potentially volatile landscapes such as the island’s limestone clifftops. 

The Bukit Peninsula, also known as the jewel of Bali, is famous for its rugged limestone cliffs. The area is seeing a tourism boom and is best known for its famous resort destinations of Uluwatu, Ungasan, and Kutuh.

Over the last month, there have been a series of landslides and cliff collapses, small and large, that are of huge concern for public safety. 

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A post shared by Piter Panjaitan (@piterpanjaitan)

On Sunday, 2nd February, new footage was posted online that shows a major cliff collapse in Uluwatu. The landslide occurred just meters away from the Tanjung Mebulu Lighthouse at the Jaran Hill Sunset Viewing Point.

This spot is just two bays away from Uluwatu Temple and the highly controversial Uluwatu Sea Wall project.

Local environmental activist and community leader Piter Panjaitan shared a video of the situation on the cliffside on his social media.

He warned the public to be extra cautious if visiting clifftops and coastal viewing points in the Uluwatu area. Panjaitan wrote, “WARNING to all Uluwatu locals and visitors! The cliff near the Lighthouse by the Seawall Project is looking unstable and dangerous! Be extra careful if you’re heading there to watch the sunset!”

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A post shared by Piter Panjaitan (@piterpanjaitan)

The comments section is filled with messages of sadness and heartbreak from local community members and international Bali lovers.

Further footage has been shared online that shows the usually crystal clear waters in the bay turned murky and brown as the debris is slowly taken up by the tide. 

On the 6th of January, a major cliff collapse incident was declared at the world-famous Tanah Barak Cliffs at Pandawa Beach.

The popular beachside hangout, located just 17km further down the coast from the Tanjung Mebulu Lighthouse and the Jaran Hill Sunset Viewing Point, was inaccessible for days as teams worked around the clock to clear the tonnes of cliff debris that crumbled into the famous rock-walled road after heavy rainfall. 

Heavy machinery and construction teams were deployed immediately and there were no reported injuries in the incident. Access to Pandawa Beach and the Tanah Barak Cliff Road is now open again. 

In light of these natural disasters, communities across Bali have taken to social media to question the impact rapid tourism development and infrastructural developments are having on the fragile coastal landscapes of the Bukit Peninsula.

Despite protests and complaints from local communities, the controversial Uluwatu Sea Wall Project is set to be completed this month. Speaking to reporters in late January 2025, the Head of Water Resources (SDA) of the PUPR Office of Badung Regency, Anak Agung Rama Putra, said over 80% of the project is already completed.

Putra spoke to the media just hours after a section of the limestone cliff directly beneath the scared Uluwatu Temple crumbled into the ocean below, sparking fears that the development had done more harm than good. 

The construction effort is set to be finished and signed off by the end of this month. Teams were given a 50-day extension after high waves set back work in early January. Putra told reporters “The overall target, there is an extension with a fine.

The target is completed in early February 2025 because there is a 50-day extension, it should be completed on December 31, 2024. Our difficulty is at the cape point because of the sea current.”