Jakarta. The death toll from the severe flooding that hit Bali earlier this week rose to 16 after two more bodies were discovered, authorities said on Thursday.

Bali has entered the transition period from the dry to rainy season, marked by rapidly changing weather that could bring heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

“This condition has occurred since early September. Although the calendar still shows the dry season, rain has begun to fall, with clear mornings often turning into heavy downpours by midday or afternoon,” Acting BMKG Secretary Guswanto said in a statement.

BMKG noted that the rains hitting Bali since Tuesday were triggered by Rossby equatorial waves that stimulate the growth of convective clouds. The agency warned that extreme weather could persist for several more days.

“As of Wednesday, light to moderate rains are still likely across several areas. While intensity may gradually decrease, people should remain alert to the risk of extreme weather during this transition,” Guswanto added.

The agency urged residents and tourists to regularly check daily forecasts, avoid outdoor activities during heavy rain with lightning, and be cautious of potential flooding caused by intense rainfall.

The extreme weather has already led to widespread flooding across Bali, killing 16 people and forcing 562 others to evacuate, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). The agency reported that there were more than 120 flood points and 18 landslides across several regencies and cities, with Denpasar among the hardest hit.

Although floodwaters have begun to recede, joint teams continue to search for missing victims, clear debris, and drain waterlogged areas, including the basement of Badung Market.

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