Popular tourist destination cancels New Year celebrations due to floodings and landslides
A popular tourist destination has cancelled its New Year celebrations due to floodings and landslides in the country.
Indonesia is set to celebrate the New Year very differently this year, with fireworks scaled back or banned in certain places.
While New Year’s Eve is usually one of the most vibrant nights on the calendar, this year things might not look the same.
In Indonesia, New Year’s Eve – widely known as Malam Tahun Baru – is usually marked with a vibrant, energetic countdown into midnight on December 31.
Jakarta, the country’s capital, hosts the main public countdown to welcome in the new year, with crowds gathering around popular landmarks and busy areas.
Bali, Indonesia’s popular paradise spot loved by international travellers, is home to a host of beach parties and fireworks displays at this time.
But this year, things are likely to be far more toned down.
Indonesia’s government is set to support the plans of several regions to forgo fireworks in solidarity with the victims of recent floods on the island of Sumatra, an official in the president’s office said on Monday, according to Reuters.
Indonesia has cancelled many of its New Year celebrations
A devastating post-flood scene in Indonesia shows buildings collapsed amid debris
Following devastating floods and landslides on Sumatra affecting multiple provinces, celebrations have been cancelled across the country.
The scale of the impact has been severe, with more than 1,100 people reportedly killed and around 400,000 displaced.
That’s alongside widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure, and local livelihoods.
As such, it has been argued a huge celebration would not be appropriate – with many authorities and local leaders scaling back, restricting or cancelling fireworks.
This is particularly the case in major hubs where large public displays would normally take place.
‘New Year’s Eve in Indonesia is usually a joyful, communal moment – but when the country is grieving, the public mood changes fast,’ a spokesperson for TransIndus, Asia travel experts, said.
They added: ‘In many parts of Asia, cancelling fireworks is one of the clearest ways authorities and communities signal collective mourning.
‘It’s not about cancelling the New Year – it’s about choosing empathy over spectacle.
New Year’s Eve in Indonesia usually involves fireworks and many celebrations
But this year, communities have been severely affected by flooding in the country
‘The absence of fireworks becomes the message: we’re thinking about the people who are suffering, and we’re not pretending it’s “business as usual”.
‘When disaster response is ongoing, large-scale events can place additional strain on local services.
‘In the immediate aftermath of floods and landslides, attention is often on rescue, shelter, and rebuilding.
‘A quieter New Year can help communities focus on what matters most right now.’
Prasetyo Hadi, spokesperson for Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto’s office, said this is the right decision for the country.
‘It is correct because we have to show empathy and solidarity… as a nation, that there are some who suffered from a disaster,’ he said.
Source – Indonesia News
