Flooding – HPCL Gas Cylinders Swept Into Patalganga River in Raigad
Flooding – Heavy monsoon rain and flooding in Maharashtra’s Raigad district have led to a major safety concern after around 3,000 LPG cylinders were reportedly washed away from an HPCL bottling facility into the Patalganga River.
The incident took place at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited bottling plant in Chavane village, located in Panvel taluka. Officials said the plant was affected after the Patalganga River rose sharply following continuous rainfall in the Khalapur region.
Floodwaters Carry Filled and Empty Cylinders Away
Strong flood currents are believed to have swept both filled and empty gas cylinders from the facility into the river. The number of cylinders carried away has been estimated at nearly 3,000, though authorities are continuing their assessment as recovery work progresses.
The sudden rise in the river level created difficult conditions around the industrial site. Water entered nearby areas as rain continued across parts of Raigad, increasing the pressure on emergency teams responding to the situation.
Khalapur Police Inspector Abhijit Bhujbal confirmed that the cylinders had been washed away during the flooding. Following the report, the district administration issued a public advisory for residents and people living near the river.
Residents Asked Not to Handle Any Cylinder
Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale has warned people not to touch, collect, shift or take home any cylinder found in the river or along its banks.
The administration said that cylinders recovered from floodwaters may be damaged, and their condition cannot be confirmed without a technical inspection. It is also unclear whether individual cylinders still contain gas, making them potentially hazardous if handled without proper safety measures.
Officials have stressed that an attempt to open, move or tamper with a cylinder could result in a gas leak or, in a worst-case scenario, an explosion. Such an incident could put nearby residents, homes and public property at risk.
Search Teams Track River Route
A coordinated search operation has been launched by the district administration, the Disaster Management Department and HPCL to locate and retrieve the missing cylinders.
Teams are monitoring sections of the Patalganga River and adjoining riverbanks, where the cylinders may have been carried by the floodwaters. The operation is expected to continue until the affected stock is traced and safely removed.
Authorities are also working to identify areas where the river’s current may have deposited the cylinders. The recovery effort is being carried out with safety precautions due to the possibility that some units may have been damaged during the flooding.
Public Urged to Report Sightings Immediately
Residents in villages and settlements near the river have been asked to remain alert and keep a safe distance if they spot any gas cylinder. People have been advised not to approach such objects, even if they appear empty or undamaged.
The district administration has asked citizens to immediately inform the nearest police station or the Disaster Management Department about any cylinder seen in the water, on riverbanks or in nearby fields.
Officials said public cooperation will be important in preventing accidents and helping recovery teams locate the cylinders quickly. The warning remains in place as rescue and search personnel continue to survey the river route.