High winds and heavy rain have triggered a cascade of natural disasters—from landslides and floods to fallen trees—impacting nearly every region of the island, with search efforts ongoing for missing persons.
DENPASAR, Bali — A powerful storm system swept across Bali in the early hours of Wednesday, January 21, 2026, causing significant damage in at least nine regencies and cities. The Bali Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported incidents ranging from tornado-like winds and widespread flooding to landslides and countless downed trees, underscoring the island’s vulnerability to intense seasonal weather.
The most serious incident occurred in Tabanan Regency, where a landslide resulted in one person suffering severe injuries and two others reported missing, prompting an active search and rescue operation.
A Snapshot of Island-Wide Impact
According to BPBD Bali Chief I Gede Agung Teja Bhusana Yadnya, the storm’s impact was widespread:
- Jembrana: The hardest-hit area, with around 30 disaster reports. A suspected tornado in Batuagung Village damaged 44 households, with additional damage in Banyubiru and Dawuhwaru villages. High winds also damaged boats and a mosque dome in Air Kuning Village, with at least 17 reports of fallen trees.
- Denpasar: Tornado activity was reported in Sidakarya and Sanur, causing tree falls. Preliminary data indicates damage to 63 buildings across three areas, primarily to roofs, walls, and small household shrines (pelinggih).
- Gianyar: High winds toppled trees, damaging a home garage and injuring two people on the Bypass Dharma Giri road. The victims received treatment at Sanjiwani Hospital.
- Badung: Multiple incidents of fallen trees were reported at temples, roads, and near the Siloam Hospital on Sunset Road.
- Other Regions: Bangli and Buleleng reported landslides, while Karangasem experienced flooding in several areas. In Klungkung, heavy winds caused the collapse of Pura Segara in Nusa Penida.
Response and Ongoing Weather Alert
Disaster response teams have been deployed for cleanup and assessment, prioritizing search efforts in Tabanan and clearing critical access routes. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued high alert (siaga) status for Badung, Denpasar, Tabanan, and Klungkung, with a watch (waspada) status for Buleleng, Gianyar, and Karangasem. A general warning for strong winds and moderate to heavy rain remains in effect for most of Bali.
Officials have also noted the presence of a tropical cyclone formation alert (Tropical Disturbance 97S) in the region, which, while having a low chance of development, contributes to the unstable atmospheric conditions.
The scale of the damage highlights the potent force of Bali’s west monsoon season and the critical need for continued public vigilance and robust disaster response coordination across the island’s diverse terrain.
Hey Bali News provides updates on major weather events and their impact on the local community and infrastructure.
