Heavy rain and strong gusts of wind caused destruction at Pura Luhur Tanah Lot in Beraban Village on Sunday. The Bale Sakanem pavilion, a sacred space used for priests prayers, collapsed completely. Additionally, the thatched ijuk roofs of several shrines were torn off by the wind.
“The wind was forming small tornadoes and whirlwinds; it was extremely strong on Sunday,” said I Putu Toni Wirawan, a priest at Tanah Lot Temple and assistant manager of the Tanah Lot tourism complex.
According to him, the Bale Sakanem pavilion was in the final stages of restoration, but the wind completely destroyed the structure again. “The damage is not limited to Pura Luhur Tanah Lot. At Pura Bumo, near Nyanyi Beach, a roof was also blown away,” he added.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. On Monday, temple caretakers held a meeting with construction teams to discuss the next steps.
“The damage to the shrine roofs is not critical, but repairs will be necessary,” explained Toni Wirawan.
Interestingly, the temple recently announced plans to build a stage for performances and rituals, and despite the storm, construction has not been affected.
Hurricane-force winds continue to cause damage across Balis infrastructure, though forecasts indicate the storm should subside today. For now, extra caution is advised when walking or driving around the island. Strong winds can bring down large branches, roofing materials, coconuts, and other debris, so be mindful of your surroundings.
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