Flooding Returns to Bali Leave One Foreign National Dead, Dozens of Tourists Evacuated

By Haifa Chairunisa

Heavy rains that battered Bali over the weekend triggered widespread flooding across the island, killing one foreign national and forcing the evacuation of residents and dozens of foreign tourists, authorities said on Sunday.

The downpours, which began late Saturday (Dec 13, 2025) and continued into early Sunday (Dec 14, 2025), inundated several areas in Denpasar and Badung regencies, with floodwaters in some locations rising to waist height. Emergency responders were deployed to multiple sites, evacuating residents and tourists using rubber boats as water levels remained high.

The most severe flooding was reported along Jalan Kunti 2 in Seminyak, Kuta, as well as in the Widuri Permai housing complex on Jalan Gunung Athena 2 in Denpasar, where floodwaters continued to submerge homes and surrounding roads through Sunday afternoon. Flooding also affected Jalan Tangkuban Perahu in Kerobokan, Badung, where at least 20 residents were evacuated from their homes as early as 2:30 a.m. local time.

Denpasar Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Secretary Agung Surya said evacuation efforts were ongoing, although some residents chose to remain in their homes despite rising water levels. Pumping operations began at around 8:00 a.m. local time but had yet to fully reduce flooding due to the continued high volume of water.

Authorities confirmed that a female foreign national was found dead after being swept away by floodwaters in Tibubeneng village, North Kuta, Badung. Police said the victim had attempted to cross a flooded road while riding a motorcycle during heavy rain in the early hours of Sunday. Her body was later discovered lodged in a drainage culvert beneath a bridge, with rescue teams facing difficult conditions as water levels continued to rise.

Search and rescue officials said the evacuation of the victim was hampered by strong currents and persistent rainfall. The body was eventually recovered and transported to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for further examination, while the motorcycle involved remained trapped in the culvert due to high water levels.

The flooding also disrupted tourism activity, with dozens of foreign tourists evacuated after villas in Denpasar were inundated. BPBD officials said at least 20 foreign nationals were relocated from flooded accommodations on Jalan Gunung Athena, with evacuees originating from several countries, including Australia, China, Singapore and India. Some tourists reported damage to electronic equipment and personal belongings, while others opted to move to alternative accommodations in nearby areas such as Seminyak and Kuta.

In northern Bali, flooding was also reported in parts of Buleleng regency, including Baktiseraga and Pemaron villages, where water covered roads and briefly disrupted traffic. Authorities said conditions remained passable and no casualties were reported. Heavy rain also caused a cashew tree to fall in Seririt district, temporarily blocking a village road before it was cleared by emergency teams.

Local disaster agencies said monitoring would continue as weather conditions remained unstable, warning residents and visitors to remain cautious, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.