BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Heavy rain and strong winds over the past three days have caused flooding in several areas of Badung Regency, including around Pantai Jerman in Kuta, leaving foreign tourists stranded at two hotels on Tuesday (Feb 24).
Bali Police spokesperson Kombes Pol Ariasandi said the tourists were trapped at hotels located on Jalan Wana Segara, Tuban, Kuta, after floodwaters outside the properties rose to more than one meter in depth.
“After receiving the report, a joint SAR team from Battalion A Pelopor and Battalion B Pelopor, led by AKP I Gusti Made Suamba, immediately deployed to the location,” Ariasandi said.
Using rubber boats, officers from the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) evacuated the tourists to safer areas. Around 60 people, particularly guests scheduled to check out, were subsequently transported directly to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
According to Ariasandi, the SAR personnel of Bali Police’s Mobile Brigade responded quickly to evacuate residents, hotel employees, and foreign tourists trapped by flooding in the Kuta area.
Two SAR units from Satbrimob Polda Bali were dispatched, comprising 24 personnel from Battalion A Pelopor and Battalion B Pelopor. The team was equipped with full rescue gear, including rubber boats and evacuation equipment.
At 6:10 a.m. WITA, the SAR personnel conducted a readiness briefing before moving toward the Kuta jurisdiction. Upon arrival at 6:45 a.m., the team was divided into two evacuation groups.
The first team, led by Aipda Nengah Sudiarta, evacuated hotel staff and foreign tourists from a property inundated by approximately 1.2 meters of floodwater. The second team, under AKP Gusti Made Suamba, carried out similar operations at another affected hotel.
Authorities stated that the evacuation efforts were conducted in accordance with Law No. 29 of 2014 and Government Regulation No. 36 of 2006 on search and rescue operations.
As of publication, rescue operations were ongoing, with teams adjusting their actions based on field conditions. Officials confirmed that the evacuation process had been proceeding safely and under control.