Flash floods in Indonesia have resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people, with six others reported missing following torrential rain that began on March 11, 2024. The deluge impacted the popular tourist island of Bali and the province of East Nusa Tenggara, leading to widespread destruction and prompting urgent rescue operations.
Rescue Operations Intensify
Rescuers have been scouring rivers and the debris of devastated villages for survivors. As floodwaters gradually recede, teams are focusing on areas hardest hit by the disaster. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Abdul Muhari confirmed that five additional bodies were recovered in Bali, raising the death toll on the island to 14. Efforts to locate the missing individuals continue.
Rising rivers caused by intense rainfall led to the overflow of waterways, devastating nine cities and districts across Bali. The floods, accompanied by significant landslides, buried mountainside villages under mud, rocks, and trees. According to Muhari, flooding submerged over 120 neighborhoods and resulted in numerous landslides, which compounded rescue difficulties.
As the situation improves, residents in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, have begun to return to their homes. Many emerged from crowded emergency shelters to find streets coated in mud and debris, with vehicles overturned or strewn about. Authorities have initiated cleanup efforts, clearing mud and waste from affected areas, while restoring electricity to tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
Impact on Local Communities
The floods resulted in significant damage, with at least 474 kiosks and small shops in art and public markets swept away. Suharyanto, the head of the BNPB, reported that the floods forced hundreds of residents to seek refuge in temporary shelters. Currently, approximately 562 individuals remain in government shelters across Bali.
In East Nusa Tenggara, rescue personnel are working tirelessly in the remote village of Mauponggo, where the floods have left tons of debris. Local police chief Dewa Putu Suariawan stated that efforts are concentrated on finding four individuals, including two toddlers, who were swept away by the floodwaters. In total, 35 houses in the area were lost to the disaster.
Local Disaster Mitigation Agency head Agustinus Pone emphasized that the severe weather conditions and the region’s rugged terrain have hindered rescue operations. Compounding these challenges is the disruption of electricity, clean water, and telecommunications in 18 villages, which has made communication and coordination difficult.
In Indonesia, heavy seasonal rain from September to March frequently leads to flooding and landslides. As recovery efforts continue, authorities remain vigilant in monitoring the situation to prevent further tragedies.
