Abstract:
Global climate change has multiple adverse effects including floods that not only cause mass destruction but leave lasting psychological imprints on the affected communities. One of the recent catastrophes being 2025 floods in Pakistan which affected millions, forcing them to evacuate, multiple deaths being reported including children. While research has largely focused on economic losses and health problems due to floods but there is not ample research on eco-anxiety and psychological domain framing lived experiences of people. This study explored personal experiences of people especially in terms of eco-anxiety, coping strategies, cultural responses and how after-effects of floods leave enduring psychological legacies. Field visits were carried out in the Manga Mandi town of Punjab, in-depth interviews were conducted on a total of 5 participants 3 males and 2 females respectively that had to displace their homes and were primary earners of their home, based on convenient sampling technique. A qualitative research design was employed followed by a thematic IPA analysis. Based on reiterative reflections, following themes were found that showcase the essence of lived experiences of flood survivors. The themes were (1) mental and emotional impact (2) physiological implications (3) economic and livelihood challenges (4) exposure and risk (5) social and community support (6) coping and resilience (7) spiritual and cultural meaning-making. Findings of this research help to bridge the gap in existing literature in psychological domain and help the government to come up with psychological support policies and disaster responsive strategies to be employed in emergency situations.
