The island of Bali experienced a significant power outage on Friday afternoon, which abruptly stopped life for both locals and visitors.
Island Goes Dark Without Warning
The blackout started at about 3:00 p.m. local time and lasted for almost two hours. But even after the electricity came back in most places, problems still remained in many parts of the island.
The state electricity provider said the cause of the blackout was a fault in the undersea power cable that connects the islands of Java and Bali. This cable usually supplies Bali with a large part of its electricity. When the cable failed, all the power plants on Bali stopped working at once. As a result, the island had an abrupt and complete power outage.
Everyone was unprepared for the unexpected power outage. Lights, fans, air conditioners, computers, and kitchen equipment all went off at the same time. For a place like Bali, which depends heavily on tourism and smooth daily operations, the blackout had serious effects.
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The electric company confirmed that the system is still not fully stable. Some areas are still experiencing smaller blackouts. In a few places, equipment got damaged during the blackout or when the power returned. Repair work is ongoing to bring everything back to normal.
Tourism and Daily Life Disrupted
The southern part of Bali, which is home to many hotels, restaurants, and shops, was badly hit. This includes popular tourist spots like Nusa Dua. Many businesses had to shut down completely because they depend on electricity for cooking, billing, and serving customers.
Without electricity, kitchen appliances didn’t work. Point-of-sale machines used to take card payments were also down. As a result, eateries were unable to take digital payments or serve food. Tourists and staff found themselves stuck in the middle of meals or transactions. In some places, appliances got damaged when the power came back suddenly.
The blackout also affected hotel services. Guests were left in dark rooms with no air conditioning or running elevators. Many tourists had trouble booking taxis or ordering food because ride-hailing apps stopped working. Without mobile signal or internet, basic tasks became difficult. Some travelers couldn’t pay with credit cards because payment machines were offline.
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Even cultural events and shows that were scheduled for the evening were canceled. These shows are a big part of Bali’s attraction for visitors. The sudden cancellations left many tourists confused and disappointed.
Roads Jammed and Services Offline
Traffic became a major issue during the blackout. Traffic congestion and confusion at important junctions resulted from traffic signals being out in areas like Pecatu. Without signals to guide them, drivers had to guess when to stop or go, leading to long delays and frustration.
Digital payment systems also went down. Many tourists who use credit cards or mobile wallets were unable to make payments. Some shops had to stop selling products because they couldn’t process any transactions.
People who rely on the internet for work or communication were affected too. Wi-Fi routers and mobile networks went offline. For several hours, there would be no texts, video calls, or emails. It also created problems for businesses that depend on online tools.
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Public services were not spared either. Some local offices and service centers had to pause their operations. Computers and machines stopped working, and people waiting for help had to leave and return later.
The blackout also caused concern about the safety of food in restaurants and shops. Without refrigeration, there was a risk that food items could spoil. In some areas, small businesses suffered damage due to the sudden halt in operations.
Although most of the island now has power again, some places are still reporting issues. The electric company is still working to fix the problem completely. There is no official update yet on when the faulty undersea cable will be repaired fully.
The blackout showed how important electricity is in our everyday lives. From traffic to food to communication, almost everything depends on a stable power supply. On Friday, the people of Bali experienced what happens when that supply suddenly disappears.