Bali Floods and Severe Weather: Urgent Travel Warnings for Visitors

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This article examines the forecasted period of extreme weather in Bali from 11–18 December 2025, drawing on meteorological warnings, recent storm impacts, and emerging climate risks.

It highlights what residents, visitors, and local authorities can expect in terms of rain, wind, coastal hazards, and travel disruption, and offers science-based guidance on how to stay safe and prepared during this high-impact weather event.

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Severe Weather Warning Across Bali: What’s Coming and When

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a formal alert for a week of extreme conditions across Bali.

This alert follows a series of severe storms and flooding events that have already tested local infrastructure and disaster-response systems.

From 11–18 December 2025, Bali is expected to experience a combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and heightened flood risk, particularly in low-lying and densely populated areas.

Regions Under Highest Risk

The BMKG warning specifically highlights multiple regencies, including:

  • Badung – home to major tourist hubs such as Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak
  • Denpasar – the provincial capital and a key transport and economic center
  • Tabanan – including coastal and rural areas that are vulnerable to flooding and landslides
  • These regions have a mix of urban development, tourism infrastructure, and agricultural land.

    This makes them particularly susceptible to both direct storm impacts and secondary effects such as road disruption and economic loss.

    Recent Flooding and Cyclone Senyar: Setting the Stage

    The current alert does not emerge in isolation; it is part of a sequence of recent extreme weather events that have already affected Indonesia in 2025.

    In the days leading up to this forecast period, Legian experienced significant flooding, while storms on 14 December further underscored the system’s intensity and unpredictability.

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    The Role of Tropical Cyclone Senyar

    Tropical Cyclone Senyar, which formed in the Malacca Strait roughly two weeks before the current forecast window, caused widespread destruction in Sumatra.

    While Senyar itself is no longer the primary driver of Bali’s weather, its circulation patterns and residual atmospheric disturbances have contributed to the unstable conditions affecting the region.

    Such cyclonic systems can enhance moisture transport and intensify rainfall and wind fields across a broad geographic area.

    This can amplify the severity of subsequent storms even after the cyclone’s core has weakened or moved away.

    Marine and Coastal Hazards: Elevated Wave Heights

    For Bali, the ocean is both an asset and a risk.

    During this period, BMKG forecasts sea waves of 1.25 to 2.5 meters in surrounding waters.

    This projection is particularly important for coastal safety, maritime transport, and tourism activities.

    Even moderate increases in wave height can significantly affect beach erosion, coastal flooding, and the safety of small vessels, especially in exposed areas.

    Implications for Coastal Communities and Marine Travel

  • Increased risk of coastal inundation in low-lying beach areas
  • Dangerous conditions for swimming, surfing, and small-boat operations
  • Potential inter-island ferry cancellations or schedule changes
  • Popular destinations such as Kuta, Seminyak, Uluwatu, and the broader Tabanan coastline may all experience disrupted beach activities and hazardous surf conditions during peak storm periods.

    Travel Disruptions: What Tourists and Residents Should Expect

    With Bali functioning as both a major tourism hub and a regional transport node, any meteorological disturbance has swift and wide-ranging consequences for mobility.

    During the December 11–18 window, disruptions are not just possible; they are likely.

    BMKG and local authorities anticipate that journeys through Denpasar Airport could face delays of around one to two hours, particularly during the heaviest rainfall and strongest winds.

    Road Safety and Local Transport

    Authorities are advising residents and visitors to take particular care with ground transport.

    The combination of heavy rain, localised flooding, and reduced visibility poses significant safety risks.

  • Avoid flooded streets where water depth and road conditions cannot be clearly assessed
  • Limit outdoor activities during peak storm periods, especially in open or exposed areas
  • Use cars or taxis instead of scooters, which are far more vulnerable on wet and debris-strewn roads
  • These recommendations are based on recurring patterns observed during previous extreme weather events.

    Road accidents and injuries often spike due to poor adherence to safety guidance.

    Economic Toll and the Importance of Preparedness

    The impacts of the recent storms and tropical systems extend well beyond immediate physical damage.

    In 2025, Indonesia’s economy has already lost an estimated SGD 5.49 billion due to weather-related disruptions, infrastructure damage, and the cascading effects on tourism, transport, and local livelihoods.

    For an island economy such as Bali, sustaining tourism while ensuring safety demands a careful balance of risk communication, infrastructure planning, and public awareness.

    Staying Informed and Reducing Risk

    To navigate the coming days as safely as possible, residents and visitors are strongly urged to:

  • Monitor BMKG’s official channels for real-time forecasts and warnings
  • Keep emergency contacts and local health facilities’ numbers readily accessible
  • Prepare basic emergency supplies such as drinking water, flashlights, and essential medications
  • While extreme weather cannot be prevented, well-informed and timely responses can significantly reduce its impact on lives and infrastructure.

     
    Here is the source article for this story: Travellers Warned As Bali Faces More Flooding And Severe Weather

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