Bali Flood Death Toll Rises to 14

Severe flooding in Bali has killed 14 people, left two missing, and displaced over 500 residents, as rescuers race to clear debris while warnings of further extreme weather persist.

The death toll from devastating floods on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali has risen to 14, with two people still reported missing, authorities confirmed on Thursday.

Days of torrential rain unleashed widespread destruction, triggering landslides, inundating roads and forcing more than 500 residents to flee their homes. Rescue teams, numbering over 600 and including military personnel, are working tirelessly to clear mud and debris as waters begin to recede.

Officials said the majority of fatalities were caused by collapsing homes and landslides in Denpasar and surrounding districts. Families displaced by the disaster have been moved to temporary shelters, with emergency supplies of food, water and medical aid being distributed.

Despite the scale of the flooding, Bali’s main airport remains fully operational, with flights unaffected, ensuring that tourist arrivals continue. However, many access roads to rural communities remain blocked, hampering relief efforts.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has warned of the likelihood of further extreme weather as the rainy season intensifies, urging residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant.

Climate experts have pointed to the increasing frequency of such disasters across Southeast Asia, linking them to climate change and deforestation, which exacerbate flooding risks.

For Bali, a destination long synonymous with tropical beauty and tourism, the floods serve as a stark reminder of its vulnerability to natural disasters. As one rescue worker observed, “Even paradise is not immune when nature turns.”