The Mental Health Toll of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in the Hunza Valley, Pakistan

Assigned Session: FS 3.502: Natural hazards in mountainous regions – Introduction to the different types of natural hazards common in mountain regions

Abstract ID: 3.7847 | Pending | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Aaliya Aaliya (0)
Waqas, Ahmed (1), Rahman, Atif (2), McAdoo, Brian (3)
Aaliya Aaliya ((0) Duke University, Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall Circuit Dr, 27710, Durham, North Carolina, US)
Waqas, Ahmed (1), Rahman, Atif (2), McAdoo, Brian (3)

(0) Duke University, Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall Circuit Dr, 27710, Durham, North Carolina, US
(1) University of Liverpool, Institute of Population Health
(2) University of Liverpool, Institute of Population Health
(3) Duke University, Earth and Climate Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment

(1) University of Liverpool, Institute of Population Health
(2) University of Liverpool, Institute of Population Health
(3) Duke University, Earth and Climate Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment

Categories: Snow & Ice, Socio-Ecology, Soil-Hazards
Keywords: Mental Health, Glacial Lake, Hunza Valley, Eco-anxiety, Pakistan

Categories: Snow & Ice, Socio-Ecology, Soil-Hazards
Keywords: Mental Health, Glacial Lake, Hunza Valley, Eco-anxiety, Pakistan

With human-induced climate change, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events have increased in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of the Pakistani Himalayas. In Hassanabad village of Hunza Valley, four massive GLOF events occurred in the past five years. However, to date, no studies have been conducted to examine how GLOF events impact the mental health of downstream communities. To address this scholarly gap, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Hassanabad to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the residents impacted by past GLOF events. In August 2024, we administered a household survey using the stratified random sampling technique in Hassanabad. We used self-report measures of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). We performed multiple regression analyses to assess the significant associations. We surveyed 177 (58%) females and 128 (42%) males between 18 and 60 years (Mean 37.7, SD 12.65). Of the total surveyed (n=305), 213 (69.84%) witnessed four GLOFs. The overall prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in our sample was 15.08% (cut-off score ≥ 10, 95% CI), 15.40% (cut-off score ≥ 10, 95% CI), and 56.60% (cut-off score ≥ 33, 95% CI) indicating mild to severe symptoms among participants. When comparing gender-wise prevalence, women had a higher prevalence for anxiety (PrR=22.03%, 95% CI), depression (PrR=23.72%, 95% CI), and PTSD (PrR=66.24%, 95% CI) than men. Notably, males were predicted to have statistically significantly lower anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores (p<0.001) compared to females, holding all other predictors constant. Concerning age-wise prevalence, adults in the age group (46-60) had a higher prevalence of anxiety (PrR=20.87%, 95% CI), depression (PrR=18.68%, 95% CI), and PTSD (PrR=59.30%, 95% CI). Age was a statistically significant (p<0.001) predictor for PTSD. This study reveals higher levels of PTSD among the residents of Hassanabad. The prevalence of common mental disorders reflects the long-term impacts of these events. The study emphasizes the importance of early identification of mental health issues, the implementation of culturally tailored interventions targeting vulnerable groups, and the allocation of funding for mental health services before and after such hazards.


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