Impact of Climate-Driven Hydrometeorological Disasters and Distress on Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing of Farmers

Climate change is intensifying hydrometeorological disasters, with droughts and floods emerging as dominant yet contrasting extremes that shape mental health outcomes. Droughts, as slow and creeping crises, progressively undermine livelihoods, food and water security, and social stability, particularly in agrarian regions. These prolonged stressors are linked to increased anxiety, depression, eco anxiety, and suicide risk. In contrast, floods act as rapid shocks that cause sudden displacement, loss of property and livelihood, and prolonged recovery, often leading to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, grief, and emotional distress. These burdens disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, especially farmers. Psychological distress frequently persists beyond physical recovery, highlighting the urgent need to integrate mental health into climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and public health responses.