The provincial government extends its emergency response period through late February, distributing aid and urging coordinated mitigation amid ongoing storms, flooding, and landslides.
DENPASAR, Bali — The provincial government of Bali has formally declared a state of disaster readiness as extreme weather continues to batter the island, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and significant disruption. The alert status, officially in effect since December 12, 2025, has now been extended through February 28, 2026.
I Gede Agung Teja Bhusana Yadnya, Head of the Bali Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), confirmed the extension on Thursday, January 22, citing persistent heavy rains and strong winds that have led to fallen trees, flash floods, and isolated infrastructure damage across several regencies.
Aid Distribution and Emergency Funding Activated
In response, the agency, under the direction of Bali Governor Wayan Koster, has been coordinating the distribution of essential aid packages to affected areas. “Logistical assistance has already been sent to Tabanan, Jembrana, and Buleleng. We are now dispatching aid to Karangasem,” stated Teja. The supplies include staple food packages, clothing, family hygiene kits, tarpaulins, portable stoves, and other basic necessities, pre-positioned ahead of the peak rainy season.
To manage the extended emergency period, BPBD Bali has established a dedicated Command Post for Extreme Weather at its central office and has reallocated 1 billion Indonesian Rupiah from its existing budget to fund the ongoing response, rather than relying on contingency funds.
Infrastructure and Drainage Issues Under Scrutiny
Officials have identified inadequate drainage systems as a critical, recurring problem exacerbating the flooding. Sedimentation, waste blockage, and poorly connected or abruptly ending drainage channels are cited as primary causes. “Many drains are not connected—they just stop. When we have heavy rain, the water has nowhere to go but onto the streets and into homes,” Teja explained.
He emphasized that long-term solutions, including proper infrastructure rehabilitation, are necessary. A noted issue is road repair that layers new asphalt, inadvertently lowering the ground level of adjacent homes and making them more susceptible to inundation.
A Call for Community Mitigation and Awareness
While emergency response continues, authorities are stressing the importance of proactive, community-based risk reduction. “The best approach is mitigation—working together to prevent and reduce risk. Flooding may still occur, but its impact can be minimized,” Teja urged, highlighting the Balinese principle of gotong royong, or communal cooperation.
Guidance for Residents and Visitors
For Bali’s international community, including tourists and long-term residents, the extended alert period signals the need for continued vigilance.
- Stay Informed: Regularly monitor official weather updates from the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) and local news.
- Exercise Caution: Avoid traveling through flooded areas, near riverbanks, or on roads prone to landslides during and immediately after heavy rainfall.
- Plan Ahead: Check conditions before undertaking trips, especially to rural or mountainous areas, and have contingency plans for severe weather.
- Heed Local Advice: Follow instructions from local authorities and property managers regarding safety procedures.
The provincial government’s coordinated response aims to safeguard communities while addressing the immediate challenges posed by this prolonged period of severe weather, a reminder of the island’s vulnerability during the peak of the rainy season.
Hey Bali News provides this advisory to help ensure the safety and awareness of our entire community during this period of heightened weather-related risk.
