At least 25 people dead or missing after severe floods in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
At least 25 people are confirmed dead or missing after floods and landslides struck Bali and East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, between September 9 and 11, 2025. Torrential rains inundated large areas, collapsed buildings, and forced the evacuation of more than 500 residents.
Satellite image centered over Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia at 23:50 UTC on September 8, 2025. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
At least 15 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing after severe flooding and landslides struck Bali and East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, between September 9 and 11. The disaster was triggered by torrential rainfall associated with an atmospheric Rossby wave, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
Floodwaters inundated six of Bali’s eight regencies, including Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Jembrana, collapsing buildings, damaging roads, and disrupting electricity and water supplies.
In Denpasar, multiple structures were swept away after rivers overflowed, and water depths reached up to 2–3 m (6.5–10 feet) in several neighborhoods.
Among the casualties was a pregnant woman swept away while riding a motorcycle, while in another incident, a three-story building along the River Badung collapsed, leaving family members unaccounted for.
In Jembrana Regency, at least 85 people were evacuated, while more than 500 residents across Bali have been relocated to temporary shelters in schools and mosques.
Flooding blocked major roads, including access routes to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. While flights have not been disrupted, authorities report limited vehicle access due to inundated underpasses and washed-out road sections.
Tourist districts such as Canggu, Legian, and Kuta also experienced heavy flooding and debris flows.
In East Nusa Tenggara, at least four people were killed in similar flood events, bringing the combined death toll to 15. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing with personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), supported by the military and police.
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing deployed heavy equipment, including excavators and mobile water pumps, to drain flooded neighborhoods and clear debris from roads.
Officials confirmed that water levels have begun to recede in critical areas, though large-scale cleaning and infrastructure repairs are still underway.
President Prabowo Subianto has instructed national and regional authorities to accelerate evacuation, aid distribution, and infrastructure recovery.
Meanwhile, BMKG warned that unstable weather conditions are expected to persist over the coming days as the Rossby wave continues to influence atmospheric circulation over the region.
Indonesia is highly prone to seasonal flooding, often exacerbated by rapid urbanization, deforestation, and inadequate drainage systems. Bali, one of the country’s most densely populated tourist destinations, has seen increasing vulnerability to floods in recent years, particularly in low-lying coastal zones.
References:
1 Bali floods kill 14, search continues for two missing – Reuters – September 11, 2025
2 Flash floods in Indonesia leave at least 15 dead and 10 missing – AP News – September 11, 2025
3 Heavy rainfall triggers major floods in Bali’s busiest tourism resorts – The Bali Sun – September 11, 2025
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