The death toll from devastating floods on the Indonesian island of Bali has climbed to 14, a government official reported on Thursday. The floods, which followed torrential downpours earlier in the week, have also left two people missing in the capital of Denpasar, prompting a large-scale search and recovery operation.
Widespread Flooding and Landslides
Heavy rains on Tuesday and Wednesday caused widespread flooding across Denpasar and six of Bali’s eight administrative regions. The inundation obstructed major roads, including routes to the international airport, though airport operations remain unaffected. The majority of fatalities occurred when victims were swept away by rivers that had burst their banks. Landslides were also reported in some areas.
Search and Recovery Efforts
As the rains have ceased and water levels begin to recede, a 125-member rescue team has been dispatched to search for the two missing individuals in Denpasar. Additionally, approximately 500 military personnel are engaged in clearing debris, mud, and rocks from affected streets to restore normalcy. The disaster mitigation agency confirmed that no foreign nationals are among the reported casualties. The report also notes that heavy rains have caused flooding in other parts of Indonesia, including East Nusa Tenggara, where four additional deaths have been confirmed.