A study of 2,494 adults shows that more than 80% of the population of Rio Grande do Sul was affected in some way by the 2024 floods, and nearly a third faced hardships such as displacement, power outages, and property damage.
Among those most affected, moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression increased significantly: anxiety was 77% higher than expected, and depression, 129%.
People who had to leave their homes, had lower levels of education, or lived alone were at greater risk of psychological distress. The results show that the effects of the disaster persist over time and affect socially vulnerable groups more intensely.