Extreme Weather Warnings Issues In Bali Tourist Hotspots

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Tourists and residents in Bali are being urged to pay attention to extreme weather warnings issued around the province and surrounding regions.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has issued warnings for heat waves, strong winds, and physical natural disasters. 

The Head of the Center for Public Meteorology, Andri Ramdhani, issued a statement informing the public that extreme weather fronts are expected to hit Bali, Sumatra, Central and East Java, Nusa Tenggara, and Kalimantan.

Regions such as Sulawesi and most of Papua are also bracing for bad weather. 

Ramdhani said, “The public must remain alert for the impacts of extreme weather such as floods, flash floods, landslides, slippery roads, and fallen trees, especially those who live in areas with mountainous topography and cliffs.”

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The Deputy for Meteorology at the BMKG, Guswanto told reporters that these extreme weather fronts have been triggered by “several dynamic atmospheric phemonoma” that will increase the likelihood of rain and winds for the next 7-days.

One such phenomenon is known as the Rossby atmospheric wave, and the pressure is expected to be felt in Bali, Eastern Java, West Nusa Tenggara, up to Kalimantan and Sulawesi, and as far west as Papua. 

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Rossby waves differ hugely from normal coastal or ocean waves. The Rossby waves undulate across huge stretches of ocean horizontally for hundreds of kilometers in a westerly direction.

They are so powerful that they can alter the earth’s climatic conditions. Rossby waves are also associated with high tides and coastal flooding, though no specific tidal warnings have been issued by the BKMG for Bali at this time. 

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Guswanto added that “It was also discovered that the cyclonic circulation was observed in the South China Sea, north of Kalimantan and the Pacific Ocean north of Paul. 

He continued, “The observed ability of the atmosphere at the local scale is still quite strong and is capable of increasing the potential for rain cloud growth in the Indonesian territory. So the combined influence of these phenomena is what gives rise to the potential for disaster.”

Moving into Wednesday, 17th April, heavy rains are expected late morning into the early afternoon. Thunder, lightning, and heavy rain are forecast for the South Kuta, North Kuta, and Petang areas of the southern coast.

Heavy rain is also forecast around 11am on Wednesday, 17th April, in Kintamani. Hikers returning from sunrise Mount Batur and Mount Agung hikes will be advised to pack waterproof gear and aim to be off the volcanos before the rain rolls in. 

Heavy rain is also forecast in Nusa Penida on 17th April, with the worst storm hitting in the early evening, around 8 pm onwards. 

In short, it’s going to be a wet week in Bali! Tourist is encouraged to plan their travel itineraries and day trips accordingly.

During heavy rain storms at the beginning of April, huge floods occurred in many of Bali’s busiest and most popular tourist resorts.

Much of Kuta was flooded, with damage to homes and some private villas too. Jalan Sunset Road was hit with flood waters that were upwards of 30cm in depth, making it dangerous for both cars and motorcycles to pass. 

Nevertheless, tourists found ways to make the most of the wet weather and were seen surfing in the streets of Kuta, on their way out to the beachfront; a more effective method than wading through waters that had risen above the knee. 

Luckily, there are plenty of indoor activities to keep tourists busy on rainy days.

Although the Eid holiday is now over, holiday promotions and shopping deals can still be found at Bali’s top shopping malls, including Bali Galeria Mall, Beachwalk Kuta, and Living World Mall, which is the biggest mall in Bali.

For something a bit more cultural on a rainy day, visit the ARMA Museum in Ubud, and for something to keep the kids entertained, be sure to visit the indoor theme park at TransStudio Mall in Denpasar.