Antara, Denpasar – Flooding has affected five of Bali's nine regencies and cities since last week as heavy rain and strong winds linked to tropical cyclone system 93S continue to batter the island, the provincial disaster mitigation agency said on Tuesday.
The Bali Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) said flooding has been recorded in Karangasem, Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Jembrana since Thursday, with the threat expected to persist for several more days despite the system moving away from the equator.
"The first flooding occurred in Karangasem, followed by incidents in Denpasar and Badung on Sunday, and then Gianyar and Jembrana on Monday," BPBD Bali chief I Gede Agung Teja Bhusana Yadnya told reporters in Denpasar. "This threat could still continue over the coming days."
He said the impacts of Cyclone 93S were still being felt through intense rainfall and gusty winds, even as the system weakens.
In Karangasem, river overflows flooded residential areas, affecting about 50 families and damaging two school buildings. In Denpasar, authorities recorded flooding at 20 locations, while Badung reported 14 flood points.
"The number is not as high as during the floods in September, but the locations are different because the rainfall pattern is different," Gede Teja said.
Conditions in Gianyar were among the most severe, with floodwaters inundating five main roads to depths of more than one meter. A collapsed residential wall blocked access to a major roadway, disrupting traffic.
"In Gianyar, one person was injured, but there were no evacuations as residents stayed in their homes," he said. "Many houses were affected. These areas are already mapped as flood-prone, but the escalation is higher – water levels that were usually below the knee have now risen to waist height in some places."
In western Bali, flooding struck four villages in Jembrana, accompanied by fallen trees and inundation along the main Denpasar – Gilimanuk route, a critical transport corridor linking Bali and Java.
BPBD Bali recorded one flood-related fatality – KK, a 30-year-old Russian woman. Authorities believe she was riding a motorcycle when she slipped and was swept away by strong currents. Her body was recovered the following morning.
Overall, the agency estimates around 191 households have been affected by flooding, along with more than 150 tourists. Most tourists did not seek shelter in evacuation centers but instead relocated to other accommodations or cut their trips short.
"Some tourists checked out and moved to other hotels, some had holidays that were ending anyway, and others decided to return home earlier," Gede Teja said.
BPBD Bali added that Cyclone 93S differs from the Rossby wave that triggered major floods on the island in September, but warned that its impact on rainfall intensity and wind conditions remains a concern.
The agency also acknowledged that environmental factors played a role in worsening the flooding, citing inadequate drainage systems and land-use planning.
"The environment's carrying capacity is not fully prepared to manage such volumes of water," Gede Teja said. "Drainage systems and spatial planning need engineering improvements to better anticipate extreme rainfall."
Authorities urged residents and visitors to remain alert, particularly in flood-prone areas, as heavy rain is forecast to continue in the coming days.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/bali-flooded-by-tropical-system-93s-one-russian-kille