Published on
September 14, 2025
Devastating floods devastated the paradise island of Bali in early September 2025, causing chaos throughout the surrounding area. From the eighth to the tenth of the month, torrential rains caused rivers to overflow and caused extensive flooding in several important locations. Significant damage, fatalities, and a pressing need for reform in Bali’s tourism industry management were all consequences of the tragedy. In response to this disaster, Bali’s provincial government made the decision to halt new hotel construction permits in an effort to reconsider the island’s strategy for urban planning and tourism development.
The Floods: A Severe Natural Disaster
The 2025 floods were among the worst Bali has experienced in recent memory. Torrential rains overwhelmed rivers, flooding major roads and residential areas, disrupting daily life and business across the island. Denpasar, Bali’s capital, along with other prominent regions such as Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan, were heavily impacted. The deluge caused significant damage to infrastructure, including the collapse of buildings and roads, making large parts of the island nearly inaccessible.
The human toll was equally devastating. At least 18 people lost their lives, and two individuals remained missing as floodwaters began to recede. Landslides further complicated rescue efforts, with authorities struggling to access affected areas. Bali’s international airport, which is a major gateway for tourism to Indonesia, was also temporarily disrupted, affecting both inbound and outbound flights.
In response to the magnitude of the disaster, the Indonesian government declared a state of emergency to facilitate rapid recovery efforts. The national and local disaster management agencies mobilised to assist those in need, including evacuating survivors, providing emergency relief, and clearing debris. The flooding prompted a nationwide conversation about Bali’s urban development and its growing vulnerability to natural disasters.
Bali’s Reaction: A Moratorium on Hotel Permits
In the wake of the floods, the Bali provincial government took immediate action by imposing a freeze on new hotel and tourism facility permits. This decision was largely driven by the realisation that rapid, unchecked development has placed immense pressure on the island’s infrastructure, especially during extreme weather events.
The freeze on hotel permits is not only a response to the recent disaster but also part of a broader effort to reassess how tourism is managed on the island. Bali has long been a global tourism hotspot, attracting millions of visitors every year. However, the tourism sector’s rapid growth has been criticised for contributing to overdevelopment, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters.
By halting new hotel constructions, the provincial government aims to give the island’s infrastructure and natural systems time to recover and adapt. The freeze affects popular areas in the southern part of Bali, such as Denpasar, Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud, which have seen an explosion in hotel construction over the past decade. The government is now focused on reevaluating the impact of these developments on Bali’s environment and its ability to withstand future climate-related events.
Addressing Bali’s Environmental and Urban Planning Issues
Bali’s rapid urbanisation, driven by the tourism boom, has raised serious concerns about the island’s long-term sustainability. Over the past few decades, large swaths of agricultural land have been converted into hotels, resorts, and other commercial developments. This has resulted in the loss of vital green spaces and farmland, contributing to issues such as water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, and increased flooding risk.
The recent floods are a stark reminder that Bali’s current urban planning model, which prioritises tourism development over environmental preservation, is unsustainable. Experts argue that this unchecked growth has exacerbated the island’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, such as the devastating floods that recently struck. Bali’s drainage systems, designed to manage normal rainfall, have been overwhelmed by the increasing volume of runoff from both urban and agricultural areas. This has caused severe flooding in areas that were once less prone to such disasters.
The island’s infrastructure is ill-prepared for the scale of the challenges posed by climate change. The floods, while devastating, have spurred the local government and developers to reconsider their approach to future development. A more balanced, sustainable model that prioritises disaster resilience and environmental conservation is urgently needed.
Bali is also working to address these challenges by enforcing stricter zoning laws, promoting green building practices, and investing in disaster-resilient infrastructure. Authorities are exploring the development of better drainage systems, water management techniques, and flood prevention measures to mitigate the effects of future floods.
Sustainable Tourism: A New Path Forward
The freeze on new hotel permits marks the beginning of a significant shift in Bali’s tourism policy. The government is increasingly focused on developing a sustainable tourism model that balances the economic benefits of tourism with the need to preserve the island’s environment and cultural heritage. The tourism sector is still Bali’s primary economic engine, but the provincial government recognises that its future growth must be aligned with environmental sustainability.
Instead of continuing the unchecked expansion of the hotel industry, Bali is exploring alternatives that focus on sustainable development. These include eco-friendly hotels, the promotion of cultural tourism, and the development of community-based tourism initiatives. By supporting locally owned businesses and reducing the environmental impact of large-scale developments, Bali hopes to create a more balanced and resilient tourism model that benefits both residents and visitors.
Bali’s government is also focusing on protecting the island’s natural resources. This includes stricter enforcement of waste management regulations, the promotion of renewable energy, and initiatives to preserve Bali’s rich biodiversity. By integrating sustainability into all aspects of tourism, the island hopes to avoid the pitfalls of overdevelopment that have plagued other tourist destinations.
Recovery and Future Prospects
The local government is putting in a lot of effort to rebuild infrastructure and assist impacted communities as Bali starts to recover from the recent floods. Emergency relief efforts have helped stabilise the situation as the floodwaters have mostly subsided. But there’s still a lot of work to be done, particularly in rebuilding the most affected areas.
The government of Bali is dedicated to enhancing the sustainability and resilience of tourism in the future. Developers, planners, and local authorities are being prompted to reconsider how Bali can expand without sacrificing its natural beauty or the welfare of its citizens by the temporary suspension of hotel construction permits. The objective is to strike a balance between environmental preservation and development so that future generations of visitors and residents can continue to take in the island’s breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage.
