--- title: "Latest Bali News: 2.5km Traffic Jam at Gilimanuk" description: "A roundup of the latest Bali news for September 20, 2026, including traffic congestion at Gilimanuk Port, ARMA Fest 2026, enhanced security at Ngurah Rai…" url: "https://gobaligo.id/en/blog/bali-news-2026-09-20/" lang: "en" published: "2026-09-20T00:00:00.000Z" modified: "2026-09-20T00:00:00.000Z" source: gobaligo.id --- News Archive # Latest Bali News: 2.5km Traffic Jam at Gilimanuk, ARMA Fest Opens, Airport Security Tightened 小 [By 小傑爸](https://gobaligo.id/about/) Bali travel blogger · Go Bali Go founder 2026年9月20日 --- 💡 Quick Answer A roundup of the latest Bali news for September 20, 2026, including traffic congestion at Gilimanuk Port, ARMA Fest 2026, enhanced security at Ngurah Rai Airpor… # Bali News: September 20, 2026 ## 🚢 Gilimanuk Port Traffic Reaches 2.5km; Travelers Heading to Java Should Take Note ![](https://cdn.grid.id/crop/0x0:0x0/700x465/photo/2026/03/18/69b79352f1007jpg-20260318080135.jpg) If you’re planning to take a ferry from Bali to Java in the coming days, this news is worth paying attention to. Around noon on September 19, **traffic heading toward the ferry terminal at Gilimanuk Port stretched approximately 2.5 kilometers**, with the queue extending near the Gilimanuk gas station. Local police attributed the congestion to the current **Tiba Bongkar Berangkat (TBB) scheduling system** and ongoing renovation work at the port. The traffic jam first appeared on the afternoon of September 18, but by around 3:00 PM on September 19, police reported that the queue had shortened to about 700 meters from the port. Since Gilimanuk is a key maritime gateway from Bali to Java, **if your itinerary includes Bali → East Java → Surabaya or Bromo, it’s best not to schedule your ferry too tightly in the coming days.** --- ## 🎨 ARMA Fest 2026 Opens in Ubud with 895 Artists Participating ![](https://atnews.innovativecommunitycenter.com/ic/atnews-android/berita_gambar/2026-09/20260919113940398900.jpeg) For travelers who appreciate culture and the arts, there’s another event worth checking out in Ubud these days. **ARMA Fest 2026** officially opens on September 19 at the ARMA Museum in Ubud, marking its fourth edition, and runs through **September 20**. This year, approximately **895 Balinese artists and performers** are participating, featuring traditional music, dance, painting, workshops, and art competitions. This year’s theme is **“A Living Tradition”** , emphasizing that Balinese traditional arts remain vibrant in contemporary life. One standout activity is the Baleganjur traditional music competition, which is not just performed on stage but presented in a traditional Balinese parade format. If you happen to be in Ubud tomorrow, this kind of event is well worth adding to your itinerary, as it offers more than just tourist performances—it’s a cultural event where local artists, students, and the community come together. --- ## ✈️ Enhanced Security at Ngurah Rai Airport Domestic Terminal as IAWP 2026 International Event Kicks Off Travelers arriving in Bali recently may notice that security measures at Ngurah Rai International Airport are stricter than usual. Since September 19, Balinese police have increased their presence in the **arrival area of the domestic terminal at Ngurah Rai International Airport**, primarily in support of the **International Association of Women Police (IAWP) 2026** related activities. Authorities note that they are paying special attention to the arrivals of international event participants and staff, while overall airport traffic and passenger flow remain normal. For regular travelers, there is currently no indication that itineraries need to be changed. However, if you are arriving in Bali on a domestic flight in the coming days, **it’s advisable to allow the usual time for immigration, baggage claim, and pickup—don’t schedule your airport transfer too tightly.** --- ## 🌊 Southern Bali waters may see waves up to 2.5 meters—keep an eye on weather for boat trips Today’s weather forecast also has a point worth noting for travelers. According to BMKG forecasts, from September 19 to the morning of September 20, **Badung, Tabanan, and Klungkung** are under a strong wind advisory; wave heights in southern Bali waters could reach **2.5 meters**. BMKG notes that wave heights in the southern waters are currently predicted between 0.5 and 2.5 meters, with winds mainly from the east to southeast, reaching speeds up to 37 km/h. If you’re just sightseeing in the city, the impact is minimal, but if you’ve planned **speedboat rides, diving, snorkeling, or other water activities**, it’s worth checking the day’s departure notices from the boat operators. Especially for trips to outlying islands, weather conditions often matter more than simply checking if ‘it’s raining in Bali.’ --- ## 💧 Prolonged drought lowers Badung reservoir levels, authorities prepare desalination plan Another issue worth monitoring long-term in Bali is **drought and water resources**. The Estuary Reservoir in Badung has been hit by prolonged drought, with water levels dropping so low that parts of the reservoir bed are visible. However, local water authorities say the Estuary water treatment plant is still maintaining a processing capacity of about **800 liters per second**, and they are adjusting water intake methods and taking other measures to keep supply flowing. Badung has also completed a submarine pipeline with a water transmission capacity of 350 liters per second, and is currently awaiting an operating permit. Meanwhile, authorities are also studying the use of **desalination** as a long-term water source in the future. This is not an alarm that ‘Bali tourists have no water,’ but rather a water resource management measure taken by local authorities in response to the prolonged dry season. For southern Badung, where hotels and tourism are highly concentrated, this issue is worth keeping an eye on.