Indonesian islands hit with deadly flash floods
Torrential rains have caused severe flooding and landslides on the Indonesian islands of Bali and Flores. Multiple deaths were reported, and the devastation appears to have no end in sight.
Flooded paradise
Legian in southern Bali is underwater. The popular tourist destination in Indonesia has been hit by unusually heavy rainfall since Tuesday evening. The island of Flores, further east, has also been affected. The floods killed multiple people, while others are still missing.
Rescue by boat
The flood hit Bali's capital, Denpasar, particularly hard. A rescue boat brings these people to safety. More than 560 people had to leave their homes and were accommodated in community centers and schools. More than a dozen people died in the floods in Bali alone.
Desperate search
Rescue workers search for victims in the flooded areas using kayaks. On the island of Flores, excavators and a thermal imaging drone are also being used in addition to boats. Children are among the people still missing.
Disaster instead of relaxation
Tourists wade through floodwaters in Legian. Roads have also turned into rivers in several tourist centers such as Canggu and Ubud, according to the Bali Sun newspaper. Tourists are urged not to put themselves in unnecessary danger. Whether any foreign nationals are among the fatalities remains unclear.
Devastating damages
The floods have devastated entire streets. In several areas, landslides have swept away houses and affected roads and bridges. According to local media, the damage is extensive. Traffic chaos reigns in many places. On Flores, an official spokesperson said that 18 villages are cut off from the outside world.
Gloomy outlook
While the situation on Flores has been easing since Wednesday, numerous roads and buildings in Bali are still flooded. Residents have to wade through knee-deep water, as seen here in Denpasar. Although the weather improved on Thursday, the Indonesian Meteorological Agency warns that more rainfall is expected.
More and more extreme
Indonesian residents are generally accustomed to flooding. During the rainy season from November to April, Indonesia repeatedly experiences flash floods and landslides. However, man-made climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events. In January, floods on Java killed at least 25 people.