Cyclone Montha made landfall along India's eastern coast on October 28, 2025, bringing torrential rainfall, powerful winds, and widespread flooding to millions of residents across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and surrounding regions. While immediate concerns focus on evacuation safety and flood response, a critical secondary threat emerges in the days and weeks following flooding: indoor air quality deterioration and rapid mold growth in water-damaged structures.

Cyclone Montha's Path and Impact

As of October 28, 2025, Cyclone Montha was positioned over the west central Bay of Bengal, centered roughly south to southeast of Machilipatnam and several hundred kilometers south of Kakinada and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department forecast indicated the system was moving northwestward toward the Andhra Pradesh coast with landfall expected between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada.

The cyclone intensified into a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained winds around 90 to 100 kilometers per hour and gusts up to approximately 110 kilometers per hour as it approached the coast. Regional agencies warned of very rough seas with wave heights forecast between 2 to 4.7 meters along extensive stretches of the Andhra coast and a possible storm surge around one meter above astronomical tide in low-lying coastal zones at landfall.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds affected multiple coastal and adjoining districts across the region. Andhra Pradesh coastal districts including Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and neighboring areas experienced significant impacts. Southern Odisha districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and adjacent areas also reported severe weather conditions.

Northern districts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and surrounding areas experienced heavy rain and gusty winds. Inland impacts extended to Telangana, Rayalaseema and parts of coastal-adjacent states with light to moderate rainfall and gusts reported across broader regions.

Evacuation Measures and Emergency Response

Multiple states and local authorities issued graded warnings and activated evacuation and relief measures in response to the cyclone threat. Red alerts were issued for many coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh and several southern Odisha districts, with orange and yellow alerts for adjacent districts indicating varying levels of threat severity.

Precautionary evacuations were ordered for vulnerable coastal villages and low-lying areas most susceptible to storm surge and flooding. Reports indicated thousands of residents and fisherfolk were relocated to designated relief centers and cyclone shelters in both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as the storm approached.

Authorities pre-deployed and mobilized National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and state rescue teams across affected districts. Control rooms and helplines were established to coordinate evacuations and emergency response. Travel advisories and cancellations for flights and trains were issued throughout the region as the cyclone made landfall.

The Hidden Threat: Post-Flood Mold Growth

While floodwaters represent the immediate danger, a secondary health threat develops rapidly in the aftermath: mold growth. 

Mold spores exist naturally in outdoor air, but flooding creates ideal conditions for explosive growth inside structures. The combination of moisture, organic materials common in building construction and furnishings, and warm temperatures produces environments where mold colonies can spread throughout homes within days.

Exposure to mold spores causes respiratory symptoms, allergic reactions, asthma exacerbations, and in severe cases, serious lung infections particularly in immunocompromised individuals. 

Immediate Steps for Mold Prevention

The first 24 to 48 hours after floodwaters recede represent the critical window for preventing mold establishment. Before entering any flooded area, verify it is safe and free from electrical hazards or structural damage that could cause injury.

Use appropriate protective gear when entering water-damaged spaces. Wear waterproof gloves, protective eyewear, and KN95 or FFP2 masks to minimize exposure to mold spores, bacteria, and other contaminants present in floodwater. These respiratory protections filter particles as small as 0.3 microns, capturing most mold spores before they enter your lungs.

Remove standing water as quickly as possible using pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or buckets to extract water from affected spaces. Every hour water remains in contact with building materials and furnishings increases mold growth likelihood and extent.

Open windows and doors immediately to facilitate air circulation through the space. Deploy fans, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems to accelerate drying. Moving air speeds evaporation from wet surfaces while dehumidifiers extract moisture from the air itself. This combined approach addresses both surface water and atmospheric humidity that supports mold growth.

Material Removal and Surface Cleaning

Remove and discard items severely damaged by floodwater that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and other porous materials that absorb water and provide ideal substrates for mold colonization. While discarding possessions proves difficult emotionally and financially after disasters, attempting to salvage severely contaminated porous materials often leads to persistent mold problems and ongoing health impacts.

Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with detergent or cleaners suitable for mold remediation. A solution of 1.5 cups bleach mixed with one gallon of water effectively disinfects nonporous surfaces. Apply this solution to walls, floors, and other hard surfaces that contacted floodwater, allowing adequate contact time before rinsing.

Critical safety note: Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products, as combining these chemicals produces toxic fumes that can cause serious respiratory injury or death. Use bleach solutions only in well-ventilated areas and wear protective equipment.

Long-Term Humidity Control

Maintain indoor relative humidity between 35% and 50% to prevent mold growth even after initial cleanup concludes. High humidity promotes ongoing mold proliferation, so consider using dehumidifiers continuously in damp areas until conditions fully stabilize. Hygrometers—inexpensive devices that measure relative humidity—help monitor conditions and indicate when dehumidification proves necessary.

In tropical and coastal climates like those affected by Cyclone Montha, elevated outdoor humidity makes indoor humidity control particularly challenging. Continuous operation of dehumidifiers combined with air conditioning helps maintain humidity levels that prevent mold growth while outdoor conditions remain humid.

Air Purification for Mold Spore Removal

Running high-performance air purification systems represents a critical component of mold remediation both during and after cleanup work. Even when visible mold is removed from surfaces, airborne spores continue circulating through indoor air, settling on new surfaces and potentially establishing new colonies.

The iAdaptAir system incorporates medical-grade HEPA filtration that captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, effectively removing mold spores from indoor air. The system's multi-stage filtration also includes activated carbon for odor control—addressing the musty smells associated with water damage—and UV-C technology that neutralizes biological contaminants including mold spores and bacteria.

For flood-affected homes, positioning air purifiers in areas where mold growth is most likely—basements, lower levels, and poorly ventilated spaces—helps capture spores before they establish new colonies. Running purifiers continuously during the weeks following flooding provides ongoing protection as materials continue drying and hidden moisture sources gradually emerge.

When to Seek Professional Help

If flooding and mold damage prove extensive, contact professionals specializing in mold remediation to ensure proper cleanup and restoration. Professional remediators have specialized equipment for moisture detection, industrial-grade dehumidification, and safe removal of contaminated materials. They also understand building systems and can identify hidden moisture sources that homeowners might overlook.

Professional assessment becomes particularly important when water intrusion affects structural elements, when mold growth exceeds approximately 10 square feet, when HVAC systems were flooded, or when individuals in the household have respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems making mold exposure particularly dangerous.

Protect Your Indoor Air Quality After Flooding

Cyclone Montha's immediate dangers pass as floodwaters recede and winds diminish, but the threat to indoor air quality persists for weeks afterward. Taking swift action to remove water, dry structures, control humidity, and purify air prevents mold establishment and protects your family's respiratory health during the challenging recovery period.

Invest in proven air purification technology designed specifically for mold spore removal and indoor air quality protection. Shop Air Oasis today and safeguard your home's air quality as you rebuild after flooding.