Bali News / Bali Travel and Holiday Updates

Heavy rain in almost all areas of Bali between Monday (January 2nd) and Tuesday (January 3rd) has brought flood in Karangasem. 30 boat engines and three jukung (traditional fisherman’s small boat) was drowned by the strong stream of River Ujung.

Representing five fishermen groups at Ujung Perisi of Karangasem regency, Jumaksah (40 years old) reported that on Tuesday two jukung and one larger boat belonged to the local fishermen were drowned. Out of 30 drowned boat engines, 10 were found in mild damage whilst another one was found in severe damage.

Jumaksah explained that stream of the water suddenly increased at about midnight. Hundred of local fishermen who did not predict the incident left their boats and engines in the huts along the beach. The huts themselves were also severely damaged by abrasion in the last six years. They got aware about the situation only in the morning when they immediately search for their boats. Three drown boats was found in damaged condition.

Other fisherman, Maksum, said that the three found boats were broken. Huts where they put their engines were down by strong wind. So far the fishermen could not go out to fish as their damaged equipments needed repair works. Jumaksah said that they have reported the incident to local police office and government in hope that they will get assistance to fix their equipment.

Landslide at Klungkung

Meanwhile heavy rain showering Klungkung on Tuesday has brought a number landslides at Banjarangkan. Some of these incidents took place at the slope of Masayu Temple at Subak Dlod, Banjarangkan and slope around Japanese Tunnel (man-made tunnel built and used by Japanese troops during the 2nd world war) at Banjar Koripan of Banjarangkan. The material sliding down along with trees on the top of the slope hit public lighting and telephone transmission cable. Fortunately no death was reported. However the landslide material blocked the road. Police temporarily rerouted the traffic to Jalan By Pass I.B. Mantra.

Slope of Masayu Temple and Japanese Tunnel were located on the sides of the main road connecting Klungkung and Gianyar with high traffic density. The incident has been immediately reported to the office for cleanliness and environment of Klungkung, which unfortunately was late to respond. Local residents then took initiative to clean the material with simple equipments. “If the material was not cleared out immediately, it is dangerous for motorbike as there was no street lighting in the area,” said a police who was busy redirecting the traffic.

Local resident of Korpian, Nyoman Romeo, said that evidences of landslide have been obvious since the beginning of rainy season. Small pieces of materials frequently fell down from the slope.Without immediate attention, more landslides will certainly take place and destroy the protecting wall and other buildings in the temple complex which has been recently renovated.