BADUNG, Bali – A Legian flood paralyzed the Dewi Sri area after days of relentless rainfall triggered the overflow of Tukad Mati river, submerging roads and residential zones in knee-high water and disrupting traffic across one of South Bali’s busiest tourism corridors.

Heavy rain has lashed southern Bali since Sunday (February 22), causing a significant rise in water discharge at Tukad Mati, located west of the affected neighborhood. The river eventually overflowed, sending water into nearby streets and homes. Several drainage culverts were unable to contain the surge, allowing floodwaters to spread rapidly.

On Tuesday morning (February 24, 2026), standing water between 30 and 60 centimeters was still observed along Jalan Nakula V and surrounding streets in Legian. Numerous motorcyclists attempting to force their way through the flooded roads were left stranded after engines stalled mid-commute.

“Rain hasn’t stopped since last night. The water rose quickly and by around 3 a.m. it was already flooding. It was quite high,” a local resident said Tuesday.

Tourists Evacuated

Several foreign tourists staying in villas around Dewi Sri were evacuated by property managers after becoming trapped overnight. Emergency response personnel were deployed to assist evacuation efforts and monitor the most severely affected areas.

A villa manager escorting Australian guests through floodwaters early Tuesday morning said evacuation was the immediate priority. Light drizzle continued at the time of reporting, potentially slowing the drainage process.

Authorities Deploy Pumps

The Badung Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR) mobilized more than a dozen portable pumps along with a main pump at Tukad Mati since early Tuesday to accelerate water removal. The Badung Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) also dispatched personnel to monitor flood-prone points and coordinate mitigation efforts.

Pump operations are being maximized to redirect excess water back into the river system and reduce pooling across residential and commercial areas.

Traffic Advisory

Traffic in parts of Legian remains heavily disrupted. Authorities have urged motorists to seek alternative routes and avoid the Dewi Sri corridor until floodwaters fully recede.

As of publication, weather conditions across the greater Kuta area remain overcast with intermittent drizzle. No casualties have been reported.

Flooding in Legian and surrounding tourism districts is a recurring challenge during peak rainy season, particularly when river discharge exceeds drainage capacity in densely built urban areas.

Further updates will follow as conditions develop.