Extreme Weather Warnings Issued For Tourism Hotspots In Bali 

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Tourists in Bali are being urged to pay attention to weather warnings issued around the province this week.

Extreme and unseasonable weather events have impacted many parts of the island, causing trees to fall, resulting in dangerously high waves, and even the appearance of a sinkhole. 

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BBMKG) for Bali has issued an early warning of potential high sea waves that could reach 6 meters in the southern waters of Bali Island. The brunt of the waves is predicted to hit between July 8th and 11th. 

Speaking to reporters, Weather Forecaster, Luh Eka Arisanti, explained that the high waves and unseasonable rain that fell over Bali over the last few days are due to active Equatorial Rossby waves and Kelvin waves that increase cloud formations in the Bali region.

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Arisanti added, “Another factor is also due to the weakening of the Australian monsoon winds, causing humidity in Bali to increase significantly. Wet air masses are now concentrated from the surface layer to the 700 mb layer, or equivalent to 3,000 meters above sea level.”

Arisanti confirmed that the highest rainfall was recorded in Tabanan Regency, which saw 204mm on Sunday, 6th July. Extreme rainfall is defined as any amount of rainfall exceeding 150mm per day.

Arisanti explained, “Another factor is also due to the weakening of the Australian monsoon winds, causing humidity in Bali to increase significantly. Wet air masses are now concentrated from the surface layer to the 700 mb layer, or equivalent to 3,000 meters above sea level.”

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One of the worst-affected areas in Tabanan Regency, which is renowned for its tourism destinations such as the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Tanah Lot Temple, was Pangkungkarung Village and its surrounding communities. 

The Bali Provincial Natural Disaster Management Agency (Bali BPBD), led by Chief Executive Gede Teja, confirmed that 29 families were impacted by the flooding and that emergency assistance had been sent to support them. The Bali BPBD also issued warnings for the public to be aware of hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods, flash floods, landslides, and fallen trees, due to the extreme weather.

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Heavy rain across the province has caused landslides, flooding, fallen trees, and even a major sinkhole to appear on the Denpasar-Gilimanuk Highway. The sinkhole appeared in the village of Bajera, in Tabaan Regency, around 5km from Soka Beach, on Monday, 7th July.

The sinkhole will now require traffic diversions to be in place along the Gilimanuk-Denpasar Highway and in Tabanan Regency for at least a month. 

The Head of the National Road Implementation Work Unit of Bali Province, I Nyoman Yasmara, told reporters on Tuesday, 8th July, “Heavy rain caused large holes in the road. The government is currently carrying out repairs. The work is estimated to be completed in the next month.”

Speaking separately, the Bali Police Traffic Director, Senior Commissioner Turmudi, clarified, “The police directed two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles via an alternative route in Bajera Village, precisely behind Bajera Market.”

His comments were backed by Selemadeg Police Chief, Commissioner I Wayan Suastika, who explained, “For the time being, Denpasar-Gilimanuk traffic flow is being diverted via the Singaraja route.”

Tourists in Bali, whether on land or by the coast, are being advised to closely monitor wave and weather forecasts, as well as volcanic activity in Indonesia. In the last week, three of the country’s major volcanoes erupted, with an eruption from Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on Monday, 7th July impacting Australia-bound flights and a series of flights to China, South Korea, and Singapore. 

On Monday, 7th July, at least 18 flights were impacted by the volcanic eruption in the Flores Islands, though the General Manager of Ngurah Rai International Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, confirmed that regular order was resumed by Tuesday morning, noting “All flights are planned to depart today.”

Shahab told the media, “We remind all prospective passengers to reconfirm their flight schedules with each airline and be at the airport 2-3 hours before the flight schedule.”