Continuous heavy rainfall has severely impacted several parts of Maharashtra, triggering floods, disrupting normal life, and raising fresh safety concerns after nearly 3,000 LPG cylinders were swept away by floodwaters in Raigad district. Authorities have urged residents to stay away from any cylinders found in or near riverbanks and immediately report their location to officials.
The incident occurred at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) LPG bottling plant in Chavane village under Panvel taluka. As incessant rainfall caused the Patalganga River to overflow, powerful flood currents carried away a large number of filled and empty LPG cylinders stored at the facility.
According to police officials, the flooding originated from heavy rainfall in Khalapur taluka, which led to a sharp rise in the river’s water level. The force of the water breached parts of the bottling plant, washing the cylinders downstream and prompting an immediate emergency response.
Khalapur Police Inspector Abhijit Bhujbal confirmed the incident, following which the Raigad district administration launched search and recovery operations. Teams from the Disaster Management Department, HPCL, and local authorities are jointly working to locate and retrieve the missing cylinders while continuously monitoring the river’s flow.
Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale has appealed to residents living along the Patalganga River to exercise extreme caution. He warned people not to touch, move, or collect any LPG cylinder found floating in the river or washed ashore, regardless of whether it appears damaged or intact.
Officials explained that it is impossible to determine the condition of the cylinders or confirm whether they still contain liquefied petroleum gas. Mishandling or attempting to transport the cylinders could result in gas leakage, fire, or explosions, posing a serious risk to human life and property.
The administration has advised residents to maintain a safe distance from any suspicious cylinder and immediately inform the nearest police station or the Disaster Management Department so trained personnel can safely recover and inspect the cylinders.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall continues to affect several regions of Maharashtra, with overflowing rivers, waterlogging, and flood-related disruptions reported from multiple districts. Authorities remain on high alert as rescue teams continue monitoring vulnerable areas and responding to emergencies caused by the ongoing monsoon.
