Severe floods collapse buildings, kill at least 6 people in Bali, Indonesia
At least six people were killed after torrential rains triggered severe flooding across Bali, Indonesia, between September 9 and 10, 2025. The floods inundated large parts of Denpasar, caused the collapse of multiple buildings, and left several people missing, while hundreds were evacuated to safer areas.
Building collapse in Bali, Indonesia on September 9, 2025, after heavy rain and floods. Credit: FPMKI
Severe flooding triggered by torrential rains between has killed at least six people in Bali, Indonesia on September 9 and 10. The floods inundated large areas of Denpasar and surrounding regencies, collapsing several buildings, blocking key roads, and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
In Denpasar, four people were killed when two buildings collapsed amid rising floodwaters. Another two fatalities were reported in Jembrana Regency, where at least 85 people were evacuated to temporary shelters. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) deployed around 200 personnel to assist evacuations and search operations.
Among the fatalities was a pregnant woman who was swept away by floodwaters while riding a motorcycle. In another incident, a three-story building along the River Badung collapsed, leaving several family members unaccounted for.
Local officials reported water depths of 2–3 m (6.5–10 feet) in several neighborhoods. Rubber dinghies were used to reach stranded residents, and parts of the main access roads to Ngurah Rai International Airport were submerged, leaving passage only for heavy vehicles.
The neighboring province of East Nusa Tenggara also reported at least four fatalities due to similar flooding.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) attributed the event to atmospheric Rossby waves, a planetary-scale atmospheric disturbance that propagates along the equator and can intensify convection and rainfall in the tropics.
BMKG warned that unstable weather conditions are likely to persist for several more days as the wave continues to influence the region.
Indonesia experiences frequent flooding during the monsoon season, often exacerbated by deforestation, land subsidence, and inadequate urban drainage.
Bali, a major international tourist destination, has experienced increasing vulnerability to flood events in recent years, particularly in densely populated low-lying areas.
Update
September 11 at 07:48 UTC
As of September 11, the death toll from flooding and landslides in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara has risen to at least 14 to 15 people, with several others still reported missing. More than 500 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters, while search and rescue operations continue in affected regencies.
Six of Bali’s eight regencies, including Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Jembrana, remain severely impacted. Rivers overflowing their banks triggered debris flows of mud, rocks, and trees, damaging homes, roads, and public facilities.
Floodwaters cut access to some tourism hubs and blocked major roads, including those leading to Ngurah Rai International Airport, although flights have not been disrupted.
The Indonesian government has deployed military and police units, along with heavy equipment from the Public Works and Housing Ministry, to accelerate clearing operations. Mobile water pumps and excavators are being used to drain flooded neighborhoods and restore transport links.
Water levels have started to recede in several areas, but large-scale cleaning and debris removal is still ongoing.
President Prabowo Subianto has instructed national and local agencies to prioritize evacuation, infrastructure recovery, and aid distribution.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) continues to warn of unstable weather conditions, with further heavy rainfall possible in the coming days.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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