Iman Rahman Cahyadi, Denpasar – Four people are reported missing and two confirmed dead after heavy flooding swept Denpasar and Jembrana in Bali on Wednesday morning.

In Denpasar, floods swept through several shop houses on Jalan Sulawesi No. 9, leaving four people missing. The worst-hit properties included Taslim Textile and New Centrum. West Denpasar Police Chief Commissioner Laksmi Krisna Dewi said six people were initially reported missing.

"Two have been found safe and treated at a hospital, while four others are still missing. They came from two different shop houses," she told reporters at the scene, as quoted by Antara.

The first report was received at the West Denpasar Police precinct around 6 a.m.Bali time. Local search and rescue efforts were hampered as floodwaters inundated several streets across Denpasar. Still, joint teams from the Bali Police and Denpasar Police are coordinating to locate the missing victims.

According to Laksmi, the strong current of the Tukad Badung River eroded much of the surrounding structures. She urged residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary.

Field observations showed that, apart from Taslim Textile, nine other nearby shops were also affected. Rolls of fabric from the textile stores were seen drifting in the floodwaters, while some buildings tilted dangerously toward the riverbank.

One shop owner, Harman Asegaf, recalled that around 5:15 a.m. he felt his building shake. "Fifteen minutes later, the back section of the shop collapsed," he said.

Previously, authorities confirmed the fatalities as 23-year-old Nita Kumala, a pregnant woman from Pengambengan village, and 38-year-old I Komang Oka Sudiastawa from Dangin Tukadaya village, both in Jembrana Regency.

Heavy downpours have continued to drench Bali since Monday night, and authorities are urging residents in low-lying areas to remain on alert.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/bali-floods-wash-away-shop-houses-search-underway-for-four-missin