BALINEWSID.COM, BULELENG – Extreme weather accompanied by heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood in Buleleng Regency on Friday (March 6, 2026) afternoon. The disaster struck Dusun Santal and Dusun Ambengan in Banjar Village, Banjar District.

The Denpasar Search and Rescue Office received a report about the incident at 10:10 p.m. WITA from the Banjar subdistrict head. The overflow of a river in the area caused a flash flood that swept through several residential houses.

Four residents were reported affected by the disaster. One person was found dead, while three others are still missing.

Following the report, seven personnel from the Buleleng Search and Rescue Post were immediately deployed to the disaster site. Upon arrival, the SAR team coordinated with the subdistrict head and other joint SAR elements.

Coordinator of the Buleleng Search and Rescue Post, Kadek Donny Indrawan, said the victim who died was identified as Dewa Ketut Adi Suarjana (55), a resident of Dusun Santal.

The victim was reportedly swept away by the flood while trying to save his car. When he had just entered the vehicle, a sudden flash flood hit the area. Based on eyewitness accounts, the victim managed to get out of the car and attempted to grab onto a coffee tree to save himself.

However, tragedy struck when he was hit by a large tree that was also carried away by the strong current. His body was found at around 11:00 p.m. WITA after the water level began to recede and was later evacuated to Pratama Tanguwisia Regional Hospital.

Meanwhile, the three other victims came from Dusun Ambengan, Banjar Village. They are still missing after their house collapsed due to the overflow of the Mendaum River.

The missing victims were identified as Komang Suci (44) along with her two children, Putu Wini (17) and Kadek Wahyu (12).

“Search efforts last night were hampered by darkness and limited visibility, making the operation ineffective,” said Kadek Donny.

The search operation was temporarily halted at 12:20 a.m. WITA following instructions from the Deputy Regent of Buleleng, who was also present at the scene. The joint SAR teams then returned to their respective units.

On Saturday morning, the joint SAR teams resumed the search operation. The search is focused around the victims’ house, extending to the river estuary area and along the coastline.

The search operation involves multiple joint SAR elements, including the Buleleng SAR Post rescue team, BPBD Buleleng, Buleleng Police, Banjar Police Sector, Brimob Gilimanuk, Water and Air Police, Satpol PP, the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency, Fire Department, PMI Buleleng, village officials, and local residents. (FF)