Weather Warnings Issued In Bali For The Week Ahead

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The Center for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BBMKG) in Bali’s Denpasar have issued weather warnings for the week ahead. The BBMKG has predicted that there will be severe weather events across Bali until at least the 15th of October. Locals and travelers are warned to take precautions, especially at the beach. 

The BBMKG has warned of heavy rains, strong winds, and lightning storms. The weather front is influenced by three atmospheric phenomena: the Madden Jullian Oscillation (MJO), the Equatorial Rossby wave, and the Kelvin wave.

The Head of the Data and Information Division for the BBMKG in Denpasar, I Nyoman Gede Wirajaya, told reporters, ‘From the results of the latest atmospheric dynamics analysis, it shows that there is a cyclonic circulation that forms a pattern of wind bends and a slowdown in wind speed which can increase convective activity and the growth of rain clouds’. 

There are 32 areas across Indonesia that the weather front will impact, and Bali is one of them. He said that moderate to heavy rainfall is predicted across the island and waves of up to four meters along the southern coast. Other areas on high alert with weather warnings include coastal regions of Aceh, Banten, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, parts of West Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. 

Wijaya explained that conditions in the Bali Strait need to be carefully monitored. He said, ‘However, the potential for high waves with an estimate of 2.5 to 4 meters has the potential to occur in the Bali Strait, southern waters of Bali, and several other waters’.

He issued warnings to the relevant authorities in Bali to ensure that infrastructure was protected and closely monitored during the predicted storms. He advised homeowners, business owners, and village leaders to anticipate increased rainfall. He suggested that citizens trim the branches of fragile trees and strengthen any tree or building supports before the heavy rains arrive.

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Wijaya told reporters that he wants to increase awareness and education amongst government agencies and local communities about the importance of taking weather warnings seriously. He said he intends to intensify discussions about what can be done to reduce the risk of hydrometeorological disasters such as longer-term floods, landslides, flash flooding, strong winds, cyclones, and high waves.

He explained, ‘The hope is to further intensify coordination, synergy, and communication between related parties for preparedness to anticipate hydrometeorological disasters’. 

Though the temperate will remain in the high twenties (degrees Celsius), the forecast suggests high humidity, high winds, and heavy rain showers throughout the week. Travelers are reminded to listen to local advice about protocols regarding what to do in the event of a flood, landslide, or high waves.

Though Wirajaya did not explicitly state that people should be staying out of the ocean, travelers are reminded to proceed with caution. Not all beaches in Bali have a flag system in place to confirm whether it is safe to swim. 

Sadly five people have died due to accidents caused by the heavy rainfall over the weekend. Local reports have confirmed the death of three people killed in a landslide on a flooded road between Bangli and Karangasem on Saturday. One was a local motorcycle driver, and the other two died in their car.

On Saturday in Giyanar Regency, a 22-year-old construction worker was killed due to a landslide and flooding incident at a villa construction site. Tragically, a fifth person was killed as his moped was dragged away in a flood in Denpasar. The 16-year-old boy died on Saturday evening. 

The Acting Chief of the Regional Disaster Management Agency for Bali, Made Rentin, told reporters, ‘We urge people to stay vigilant toward extreme weather that can cause floods, inundated areas, landslides, strong winds, broken trees, and more. If you are in an emergency situation, please call our emergency numbers’. The relevant phone numbers can be found HERE.