In a dramatic incident triggered by relentless monsoon rains, nearly 3,000 LPG cylinders were swept into the Patalganga River after floodwaters inundated the HPCL Patalganga LPG Bottling Plant in Maharashtra's Raigad district. The incident has prompted an urgent public safety advisory, with authorities warning residents not to touch or collect any cylinders found along riverbanks or downstream.
According to district officials, torrential rainfall caused severe flooding in the industrial area near Chavane in Panvel taluka. Floodwaters breached the plant's protective boundary wall, allowing the powerful current to carry away thousands of LPG cylinders—both filled and empty—into the Patalganga River and nearby Kharpada Creek.
Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of red LPG cylinders floating downstream, creating alarming scenes and raising concerns about public safety. Some videos also appeared to show people attempting to retrieve the cylinders despite official warnings.
Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale urged residents to avoid handling any recovered cylinders, stressing that officials cannot determine whether a cylinder still contains gas or has been damaged during the flood.
«"There is no guarantee whether the cylinders contain gas or are safe. Picking them up or taking them home could be extremely dangerous," the collector said.»
The district administration has appealed to the public to immediately inform local authorities, HPCL officials, or nearby government offices if any cylinders are spotted instead of attempting to recover them independently. Recovery operations are currently underway as emergency teams work to trace and safely retrieve the drifting cylinders.
The incident highlights the growing impact of extreme monsoon weather on industrial infrastructure across Maharashtra. Experts note that LPG cylinders can pose serious fire and explosion hazards if damaged or mishandled, making public cooperation critical until all missing cylinders are recovered.
Authorities continue to monitor river conditions and have urged people living near the Patalganga River to remain vigilant while flood conditions persist. Investigations into the damage at the HPCL facility and the effectiveness of flood protection measures are also expected once water levels recede.
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