Lingering trauma haunts flood survivors as monsoon season ends

Even though the rainy season has officially ended, many survivors of last year's severe floods are still grappling with profound psychological trauma. The intense downpours, which caused widespread flooding and devastation, have left a lasting mark on victims, manifesting as anxiety, sleep disorders, and persistent fear triggered by any mention of rain.

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I can't sleep all night thinking about that time. I bought sleeping pills from every pharmacy I could find.

One survivor, a 75-year-old woman who lived in a semi-basement apartment in Seoul, recounted how sewage water surged into her home during a torrential rainstorm in August 2022. She barely escaped with her life as the water rose to her chest, while three people in a neighboring semi-basement perished. Despite moving to a safer apartment, she still vividly recalls the suffocating sensation of the rising water and experiences sleepless nights, often relying on sleep medication. Another victim, who operated a snack bar in Gyeongnam, described how the floodwaters reached her waist, causing significant financial damage and forcing her to halt business for over seven months. The sight of the damaged local levee still triggers distress, leading to frequent crying spells and reliance on alcohol or sleep aids.

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Even seeing the 'Emergency Disaster Text Message for Heavy Rainfall' during this year's monsoon season made me jump. I get anxious and sensitive just hearing about rain on the news.

Experts warn that the recurring nature of extreme rainfall due to climate change means these psychological impacts, including depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), require focused attention. A recent survey in Gyeongnam indicated that a significant majority of flood victims experienced PTSD symptoms, with many falling into the 'severe risk' category. The nature of flood damage, encompassing intense psychological distress, material loss, and uncertainty about recovery, contributes to these severe mental health outcomes.

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Seeing the neighborhood levee that overflowed makes my heart churn. I cry a lot. I can barely sleep, relying on alcohol or sleeping pills.

While mental health support systems are in place, their effectiveness is often limited. The current support structure, primarily managed by government agencies, faces challenges such as limited operating hours that conflict with victims' efforts to restore their livelihoods. Furthermore, some victims report being matched with counselors lacking specific expertise in disaster psychology, leading them to discontinue therapy. There is a critical need to design support methods that are specifically tailored to the unique characteristics of flood disasters and to establish a system that ensures practical access to specialized psychological counseling and treatment.

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The intensity of psychological trauma, the extent of material damage, and the possibility of recovery are all factors that influence post-traumatic stress disorder. Flood situations encompass all these elements.