Many tourists visiting Denpasar did not expect to go boat riding in their vacation area, but they did. Fortunately, everyone got out safely, but the bad news was that floodwaters, ruined electronics, and changed hotels were now part of the Bali experience.
A Quiet Villa Turned into a Nightly Evacuation
Late at night, the Denpasar area of Bali experienced a torrential downpour. Although It seemed to be an ordinary rainstorm soon became much more during the early hours of the following day.
One male tourist from Australia arrived at his villa the night before and he awoke to see water quickly rising all over the property. By the time help arrived, the floodwaters had risen up to waist height in some places.
Needing inflatable boats was no longer an option but became a necessity.
They Were on Holiday
Denpasar (the capital of Bali) is a busy city. However, it is not nearly as hectic or crowded as most other large cities in the world and is therefore a peaceful destination. In Denpasar, tourists can enjoy the tranquillity of their surroundings, move back and forth between cafés, dine in beachside restaurants, and have rain as part of island life.
Once the flooding started to reach the courtyard and parking area of the hotel, and in some instances, even the villa’s interior (the pool was completely submerged), that sense of calm came to an abrupt halt. Many of the people who were visiting the area decided that they wouldn’t waste any time and booked accommodations in a safer part of the island (Seminyak/Kuta) as soon as possible.
All the vacation plans that were previously made in advance were now being changed.
Not every tourist decided to leave
While some tourists made the decision to leave the area, others decided to remain in the area.
A tourist from China indicated that she and her group decided to stay in their villa even though the water entered the villa because they all had too many bags to carry and there was not an easy place to move.
However, the decision to stay did come at a cost, as the majority of the laptops and other electronics were not able to survive the water.
Leaving all of your items behind or risking getting them damaged was a tough decision.
RuKayu… Evacuating with an inflatable boat…here in Bali
According to local responders, by the end of the afternoon, approximately 20 international tourists, from a variety of countries, had been evacuated using inflatable boats. The tourists originated from many different countries such as Australia, Singapore, China and India.
Most of the properties were inundated with water in the front yards while some had water inside their houses. Requests for the evacuation of holiday makers kept coming in due to rainwater remaining on the ground.
Once again, the flooding started to affect parts of Denpasar and foreign holiday makers needed to be evacuated from low-lying areas using rubber boats, and be provided with temporary accommodation for their safety. What initially appeared to be heavy rainfall also created logistical problems for guests staying in the low-lying villa areas.
Bali remains an amazing destination. It is a beautiful place that allows visitors to be welcomed with open arms and memorable experiences. Yet, the moments like this show that nature does not respect holiday making. Your trip will not always consist of beaches and sunsets. At other times it may include flood waters, assistance from others, and an unforgettable boat ride on an inflatable raft.
