09 July,2026 11:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Around 3,000 LPG cylinders were swept away by floodwaters after a protective wall at the HPCL Patalganga LPG Bottling Plant in Maharashtra's Raigad district collapsed following heavy rainfall, officials said.
The incident took place after continuous rainfall caused floodwaters to enter the facility. The strong current carried away thousands of cylinders, which were later seen floating in the Patalganga River and Kharpada Creek.
Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing hundreds of LPG cylinders drifting in the swollen river. Several residents gathered on a nearby bridge to record the unusual sight.
The district administration said some of the cylinders washed away in the floods may still contain LPG, raising safety concerns.
Officials have urged people not to touch, collect, open, or attempt to use any cylinders found floating in the river or washed ashore.
Raigad Collector Kishan Javle appealed to residents to immediately report such cylinders to authorities instead of taking them home.
"There is no guarantee whether the cylinders washed into the river contain gas or whether they are in a safe condition. Picking them up, opening them, or taking them home out of curiosity or for use could be extremely dangerous," the collector said.
The administration has asked residents who find cylinders to hand them over only at designated locations.
Officials said recovered cylinders can be deposited at the HPCL plant, nearby HPCL dealers, the Tehsildar Office in Khalapur, the concerned Tehsildar Office, or the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO).
Authorities have also warned people against storing cylinders at home or handling them without proper safety precautions.
Officials said teams are monitoring the affected areas and coordinating recovery efforts to safely collect the cylinders.
Heavy rainfall has continued across several parts of Maharashtra over the past week, leading to flooding, waterlogging and rising river levels.
Raigad has been among the districts affected by intense monsoon activity, with overflowing water bodies disrupting normal life in several areas.
Local authorities have remained on alert as emergency teams respond to rain-related incidents and monitor vulnerable locations.
Authorities said the priority is to ensure public safety while recovering the cylinders that were carried away by floodwaters.
Residents have been advised to stay away from flooded areas and follow instructions issued by the administration.
Officials said further assessment will be carried out at the HPCL Patalganga LPG Bottling Plant to determine the extent of damage caused by the flooding and wall collapse.
(With inputs from IANS)
