Psychological Impact of Floods in Upper Assam: A Silent Crisis

Emerging Psychological Crisis Post-Floods

As the floodwaters in Upper Assam begin to recede, a hidden crisis is surfacing—one that is often overlooked in official disaster reports: the psychological impact on survivors.

Families who have lost their homes, land, livestock, and even loved ones are now grappling with the emotional aftermath of the floods.

Mental health professionals and relief workers caution that feelings of anxiety, grief, and trauma may linger long after the physical damage has been addressed, yet there is a lack of adequate psychological support available.

Jinmoy Choudhury, a member of Rongmohol Nabajyoti Kala Sangha, a relief organization based in North Guwahati, visited Panbecha village in Sivasagar and observed that residents were struggling to cope with their significant losses.

“They were unprepared for such a devastating flood. The shock of losing their assets is profound, and it may take them two to three years to recover. They are deeply traumatized,” Choudhury remarked.

Many individuals, he noted, find it difficult to articulate their losses. “They lack the words to express their grief,” he added, describing their financial situation as “completely shattered.”

In addition to basic needs like food and shelter, Choudhury emphasized the urgent requirement for emotional support to help survivors process their experiences.

Physical Symptoms of Psychological Strain

Affected families trying to save whatever little they could amidst distress, loss and devastation (Photo: Jinmoy Choudhury)

When Trauma Manifests Physically

Medical professionals indicate that the psychological stress resulting from a disaster can lead to physical symptoms, even in the absence of any identifiable medical condition.

Dr. Babul Bezboruah, Principal of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, shared that his team, along with clinical psychologists, encountered numerous such cases during a health camp organized by the National Health Mission in flood-affected regions.

“Post-flood stress can manifest as physical ailments even when no significant physical illness is present,” Bezboruah explained.

Common complaints at relief camps include headaches, palpitations, gastritis, body aches, trembling, sleep disturbances, and loss of appetite. Stress can also exacerbate pre-existing conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.

Bezboruah advocated for integrating psychological care into disaster response efforts rather than treating it as an afterthought.

“A clear referral system from primary health centers and relief camps to mental health professionals should be established following a flood,” he suggested.

He proposed a structured approach that includes screening, psychological first aid, risk assessment, referrals, specialized care, and follow-up.

Communities Facing Unprecedented Trauma

‘This Was Completely Out of Syllabus’

For some communities, the psychological effects are intensified by their lack of experience with disasters of this magnitude.

Angshuman Phukan, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Assam Women’s University, Jorhat, noted that many affected individuals are not accustomed to such catastrophic events, unlike those in areas that frequently experience flooding.

“This population is not used to repeated disasters. They lack the resilience built through experience. They are struggling because this is entirely new for them. They will adapt over time, but this situation was completely unexpected,” Phukan stated.

The unfamiliarity with disaster was evident in their initial responses to relief efforts. Some families hesitated to accept help, still grappling with the reality of their losses.

Distressed flood-affected people coping with loss, damage, and destruction never seen before (Photo: AT)

“This was not part of their experience; they are learning to cope with it. They are in denial, and this denial must pass before they can build resilience,” he added.

Phukan cautioned that the psychological effects may become more pronounced over time. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may not manifest immediately after a disaster.

“PTSD often takes time to surface, usually within six months of the triggering event. If symptoms appear right away, it is classified as acute stress disorder,” he explained.

Symptoms can include hyper-alertness, flashbacks, avoidance of discussions about the event, emotional numbness, and general anxiety.

Children's Unique Psychological Challenges

Children May Lack the Vocabulary for Trauma

Children face distinct psychological hurdles as they often lack the emotional vocabulary to articulate their experiences.

“Children process emotions differently than adults,” Phukan noted. Their inability to identify and articulate their feelings can lead to distress manifesting physically or behaviorally instead of verbally.

Signs of distress among younger flood survivors may include irritability, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and anger outbursts.

Phukan suggested that community institutions already integrated into people's lives could serve as immediate support networks. Naamghars, schools, and hospitals could facilitate interactive sessions and psycho-educational programs.

“People often experience symptoms but lack the language to describe them, making it difficult for them to understand their own experiences,” he said.

He also called for a functional helpline to connect survivors with health services, family support, and district welfare mechanisms.

The Complexity of Grief

Grief is Not the Same for Every Loss

Eepsita Sarma, a clinical psychologist at the State Cancer Institute in Guwahati, emphasized that the psychological impact varies based on what survivors have lost.

Loss of a home or land can signify a loss of identity and security, yet there is often hope for rebuilding.

“Losing a home or land means losing a part of your identity... but there is still hope that you can rebuild once conditions improve,” Sarma explained.

Conversely, the loss of a loved one is irrevocable.

A flood-hit bereaved wife along with her children who had lost their father (Photo: AT)

The current death toll is alarmingly high, leaving many families without closure. Sarma believes that the psychological impact of losing a person is far greater than losing a home or land.

For families with missing loved ones, the uncertainty can intensify the trauma, depriving them of the closure that comes with a confirmed loss.

She highlighted that the treatment of survivors can significantly affect their recovery.

“They are flood victims in relief camps, but they should be treated with compassion and empathy, not pity. This distinction is crucial; it helps individuals feel valued,” she stated.

The floods have disrupted not only homes and livelihoods but also the sense of safety, belonging, and security for those who have lost relatives or are separated from family members.

However, Sarma noted that the disaster has also highlighted the strength of community support, as people come together to assist one another during this crisis.

While immediate needs after a flood include food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, and livelihood restoration, experts assert that psychological recovery must begin concurrently.

Without ongoing psychological support integrated into disaster response, many survivors may carry the invisible scars of the floods long after the waters have receded.