The atmosphere in Kedonganan was one of urgent action. We were privileged to join the Vice Regent of Badung, Bagus Alit Sucipta, alongside representatives from PUPR Badung, BPBD Badung, and local community leaders, including the Bendesa of Desa Adat Kelan, I Wayan Sukerana.
The group walked through several heavily affected areas, specifically focusing on Jalan Kharisma, Jalan Kantawali, and Jalan Segara Madu. These streets have borne the brunt of the recent downpours, and seeing the water levels firsthand highlighted the urgency of the situation.
Emergency Measures in Action
The primary focus of the day was ensuring that emergency penanganan (handling) was moving as fast as possible. Key efforts currently underway include:
- Drainage Normalization: Teams are actively clearing debris and material that have clogged the drainage systems.
- Food Aid Distribution: Vice Regent Bagus Alit Sucipta personally handed out essential food supplies (sembako) to families whose homes and livelihoods have been disrupted by the water.
- Data Collection: Local officials are documenting the specific needs of affected residents to ensure no one is left behind in the recovery process.
Looking Beyond the Emergency: Long-Term Solutions
At Coco Social Fund, we believe that temporary relief is only half the battle. During the inspection, the Vice Regent emphasized that while emergency cleaning is vital to get the water flowing again, the Badung Regency Government is already formulating long-term technical plans to prevent this cycle from repeating.
The goal is to move from “reaction” to “prevention,” ensuring that the residential infrastructure in Kedonganan can withstand the increasingly extreme weather patterns we are seeing across Bali.
A Message to Our Neighbors: Stay Vigilant
As we navigated the flooded streets today, the message from leadership was clear: vigilance is key. With high-intensity rain still a possibility in the coming days, we urge all residents to:
- Stay Alert: Keep an eye on weather updates and local warnings.
- Report Clogs: If you notice a drainage point in your neighborhood is blocked, please report it to your local head of environment (Kepala Lingkungan) immediately.
- Support Each Other: In times like these, the strength of the Balinese community is our greatest asset.
The Coco Social Fund team will continue to monitor the situation in Kelan and Kedonganan. Our hearts go out to everyone dealing with wet homes and disrupted businesses today. We are in this together, and we are committed to seeing the community return to normal as quickly as possible.