NORTH KUTA, BALI — A foreign woman was found dead after being swept away and trapped beneath a drainage culvert in Tibubeneng Village, North Kuta, on Sunday morning, December 14, 2025, in what authorities say is another fatal consequence of Bali’s ongoing extreme weather conditions.
The discovery was made along the Krisnantara River on Jalan Krisnantara, where local residents alerted emergency services after spotting a body lodged beneath a concrete pipe following overnight heavy rainfall.
The Denpasar Search and Rescue Office received the report at 8:05 a.m. local time and immediately dispatched a rescue team from its Jimbaran base.
“Five SAR personnel were deployed to the location. According to initial reports, the victim was positioned underneath and trapped inside a drainage pipe,” said I Nyoman Sidakarya, Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office.
Victim Identified as a Foreign National Woman
Authorities confirmed that the victim was a female foreign national, though her identity has not yet been officially released pending further investigation.
Rescue teams found the woman in a deceased condition, wearing black long pants and no upper clothing. At the time of evacuation, water levels in the river had risen to approximately waist height, complicating rescue efforts.
“Ongoing rainfall caused the river’s water level to continue rising, which is why the joint SAR team, assisted by local residents, moved as quickly as possible to evacuate the victim,” Sidakarya explained.
The body was successfully recovered at around 10:30 a.m. and transported by PMI Badung ambulance to RSUP Prof. Ngoerah Hospital in Denpasar for further examination.
Extreme Weather Warning in Effect
This incident occurred amid a period of extreme weather that had been forecast by Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) for December 11–18, 2025, with widespread warnings of heavy rain, flooding, and rapidly rising river levels across Bali.
Several areas in Badung and Denpasar, including Legian, Kuta, and North Kuta, have experienced flooding in recent days, underscoring the heightened risk posed by outdoor activities near rivers, drainage channels, and low-lying roads.
Joint Emergency Response
Multiple agencies were involved in the evacuation process, including:
- Denpasar Search and Rescue Office
- Badung Police and North Kuta Police
- Bali Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD)
- Badung Regency BPBD
- Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Badung
- Local village security officers (Bhabinkamtibmas)
- Members of the local community
Authorities have not yet disclosed how the victim entered the river or the circumstances leading up to the incident. An investigation is ongoing.
Public Safety Advisory for Tourists and Expats
In light of the incident, officials and local observers are urging tourists and expatriates to exercise heightened caution during the current weather period.
Travelers are advised to:
- Avoid outdoor activities, especially near rivers, canals, and drainage systems
- Reconsider trekking, hiking, or late-night walking during heavy rain
- Stay indoors during intense rainfall, particularly in flood-prone areas
- Monitor official weather updates and local emergency advisories
As Bali continues to face severe weather conditions, authorities emphasize that safety should take precedence over travel plans or recreational activities.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder that extreme weather is not just an inconvenience, but a real and present danger,” Giostanovlatto, Founder Hey Bali.
Reported by Ferry Fadly
Written by Hey Bali Newsroom
