Extreme Weather Triggers Tragedy In Bali As Tourists Urged To Be On High Alert 

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Extreme weather has been hitting Bali all week. With the island experiencing the peak of the rainy season, intensive rainfall coupled with strong winds has triggered tragedies across communities.

The Bali Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) responded to over forty emergency call-outs, including in top tourism resorts. 

The Head of the Bali Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), I Gede Agung Teja Bhusana Yadnya, has been in contact with reporters all week, working to keep the local community and tourists up to speed about the situation as it unfolds.

Extreme weather in Denpasar, Bangli, Klungkung, Badung, Buleleng, Jembrana, Tabanan, Karangasem, and Gianyar has resulted in call-outs to cross-agency teams. 

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The worst incident recorded in Kuwum Village in Tabanan Regency was when three members of the same household were swept away as flash flooding swept through their home.

One 31-year-old man was located alive but having sustained serious injuries. Officers from across agencies, including Bali Search and Rescue, the Disaster Management Agency, and Bali Police, have been working around the clock to locate the missing local mother and daughter. 

On Thursday afternoon, the Head of the Bali Search and Rescue Office, Nyoman Sidakarya, told reporters, “The toddler victim was found this morning at around 7 am. We received information from beach visitors who reported it directly to the SAR team.”

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The 2-year-old girl was found 6.7km from her home at the river mouth in Batu Belig Beach. Sidakarya told reporters, “With the discovery of one victim, there is only one person left who is still being searched for. The search for the other victim is still ongoing.”

Following the tragedy, the Regent of Tabanan, Komang Gede Sanjaya, has appeared to the public, including tourists, to be on high alert to the impacts of extreme weather.

Tabanan Regency is home to some of Bali’s most famous cultural landmarks and tourist attractions, including Tanah Lot Temple, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, and Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest. 

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Regent Sanjaya told reporters, “The Tabanan Regency Government urged all residents to remain vigilant, maintain personal and environmental safety, and follow the directions of relevant agencies. We also urge the public to avoid activities in disaster-prone areas where weather conditions worsen.”

The Head of the Bali Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Cahyo Nugroho, announced that an early warning alert has been issued for extreme weather that could affect most areas of Bali until the 27th January.

He noted, “These atmospheric dynamics increase convective activity, potentially triggering moderate to heavy rain, accompanied by lightning and strong winds.”

The dangers and strength of extreme winds are not to be understated in Bali right now. The iconic Kuta Beach sign was crumpled by the wind on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Kuta Beach Tourist Attraction Manager, I Nyoman Arya Arimbawa, shared, “The collapse is estimated to have occurred yesterday morning (Wednesday). It was caused by extreme weather and strong winds. It couldn’t be repaired, so we immediately dismantled it temporarily.”

He confirmed that the signage has now been demolished for public safety, with the permission of the  Badung Regency Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Agency. He shared, “It was immediately dismantled with the permission of the Badung PUPR Agency. Regarding repairs, until now, there has been no further information.”

He concluded, “The writing has become a kind of new icon for Kuta Beach. We hope it can be repaired soon, of course, with better construction strength, so that it will not be damaged again even when hit by strong winds.”

Tourists in Bali are advised to follow the Bali Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency on Instagram, where extreme weather alerts and warnings are issued on a regular basis.

Tourists should also consider changing their itinerary plans based on the weather forecast to ensure everyone’s safety.