What's happened
Severe flooding caused by heavy rains has resulted in at least 19 deaths and 10 missing persons across Bali and East Nusa Tenggara. Thousands have been displaced, with rescue efforts ongoing. The disaster has damaged homes, infrastructure, and impacted tourism, prompting government response and aid distribution.
What's behind the headline?
The flooding in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara underscores Indonesia's vulnerability to seasonal monsoon rains, exacerbated by climate change. The rapid rise in casualties and displacement reveals gaps in disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience. The government's swift response, including deploying thousands of rescue workers and distributing aid, is crucial but highlights the need for long-term mitigation strategies. The impact on tourism and local economies is significant, with damages to homes, businesses, and public facilities. This event will likely accelerate discussions on climate adaptation and infrastructure investment, but without systemic change, similar disasters will recur, risking further loss of life and economic stability.
What the papers say
The SBS articles provide detailed updates on the ongoing rescue efforts, casualty figures, and infrastructural damage, emphasizing the scale of the disaster and government response. The AP News and South China Morning Post reports corroborate the casualty numbers and describe the widespread impact on communities and infrastructure, highlighting the severity of the floods. The Independent echoes these points, adding context about Indonesia's seasonal weather patterns and the typical consequences of such heavy rains. While all sources agree on the core facts, SBS offers the most comprehensive and recent update, making it the primary reference for this summary.
How we got here
Indonesia experiences seasonal heavy rains from September to March, often causing flooding and landslides. Recent storms intensified this pattern, especially affecting Bali and East Nusa Tenggara. Authorities have responded to previous similar events, but the scale of this flooding has led to significant casualties and damage, highlighting ongoing climate and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What Caused the Floods in Indonesia and Are They Getting Worse?
Recent severe flooding in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara has caused widespread destruction and human suffering. Many wonder what triggered these floods, how rescue efforts are progressing, and whether climate change is making such disasters more frequent. Below, we explore the key questions about this devastating event and what it means for Indonesia’s future.
-
What’s Happening with Climate Justice and Natural Disasters in Africa and Indonesia?
Recent events across Africa and Southeast Asia highlight the urgent climate challenges facing these regions. From Africa’s push for climate justice to devastating floods in Indonesia and Pakistan, many are asking what’s being done and how countries are responding. Below, we explore the key questions about these critical issues and what they mean for the future of climate action worldwide.
-
What’s the Latest on Floods, Detention, and Displacement in 2025?
Recent disasters and humanitarian crises have made headlines worldwide, from devastating floods in Indonesia and Pakistan to controversial detention deals in Central America. Curious about the latest developments, human rights concerns, and how displaced populations are coping? Here’s everything you need to know about these urgent issues and what they mean for global safety and justice.
More on these topics
-
Bali is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan.
-
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of more than seventeen thousand islands, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea. Indonesia i
-
East Nusa Tenggara is the southernmost province of Indonesia. It comprises the eastern portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands, facing the Indian Ocean in the south and the Flores Sea in the north.
-
Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo is an Indonesian politician, businessman and former Army lieutenant General who is the currently-appointed Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia.