BADUNG, Bali — A severe storm on Saturday, December 27, has caused significant damage to a culturally important temple in Mengwi, Badung Regency, underscoring the tangible impacts of Bali’s current volatile weather. The Pura Dalem Gede Banjar Gede in Abianbase Traditional Village sustained structural damage after being struck by a large tree uprooted during intense rains and strong winds.
Local authorities and village leaders confirmed the incident, reporting that the fallen tree compromised sections of the temple’s sacred structures. Fortunately, no injuries occurred. The community has secured the area for safety while a full assessment is conducted by temple priests (pemangku) and heritage officials.
This event highlights the direct consequences of the intense rainy season affecting the island. Meteorologists link these powerful, localized storms to broader regional weather patterns, including distant tropical systems that can amplify wind and rainfall across the archipelago.
For Bali’s residents and visitors, this incident serves as a critical reminder to exercise heightened caution during severe weather—particularly near older structures, large trees, and in areas prone to flooding or landslides. The community of Abianbase will now undertake a careful restoration, a process that will intertwine physical repairs with traditional purification ceremonies to restore the temple’s spiritual integrity, reflecting the deep Balinese commitment to harmony between the human, natural, and divine worlds.