The disastrous flash floods in Nepal have claimed more than 500 lives and the number is expected to rise further in the coming days. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has said 320 Indian nationals remain missing and around 100 persons of Indian origin too remain untraceable.
When floodwaters rise, survival comes first. People run to higher ground, families search for loved ones, homes disappear beneath muddy water and when the water finally recedes, another crisis begins. This psychological trauma that the victims endure is often less visible but can last for months or even years and is much harder to quantify.
Memories of surviving the flood or witnessing people getting swept away in the muddy waters, the rumbling sound of heavy rain, rising water or even a weather warning may trigger fear and anxiety for some. Those who watched family members being swept away, lost their homes or spent hours waiting for rescue may struggle to return to normal life even after the physical damage has been resolved.
Flood survivors can experience a wide range of emotional and psychological reactions. Anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after a disaster. Children may become particularly vulnerable, showing changes in behaviour, difficulty sleeping, separation anxiety or fear of rain and water. As per a study titled 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among the Flood Affected Population in Indian Subcontinent', the most frequently diagnosed psychological illness in the flood-affected population is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which manifests as difficulty in sleeping, emotional distress, avoidance and emotional arousal.
Studies conducted during the initial few months post-disaster showed a higher occurrence of psychiatric manifestations among people who have survived the calamity.
What can be done?
Mental health support after floods should become an integral part of disaster response. Survivors need safe spaces to talk about their experiences, access to psychological first aid and continued support for those showing signs of severe distress.
The study also suggested that greater support from family and friends decreases the negative psychological impact (PTSD & depression) after flood exposure, whereas less family support increased the vulnerability to mental illness. It has been suggested that social support facilitates positive interactions that help to boost the interpersonal environment to overcome trauma-related emotions or depression.
