Floods Sweep Away 3,000 LPG Cylinders in Raigad

Heavy rainfall in Maharashtra's Raigad district has led to a potentially dangerous situation after nearly 3,000 LPG cylinders were swept away by floodwaters from the HPCL Patalganga LPG Bottling Plant. The incident occurred after a protective boundary wall at the facility gave way under the pressure of incessant rain.

The cylinders were carried away by the swollen Patalganga River and into the adjoining Kharpada Creek, prompting district authorities to issue an urgent public advisory. Viral videos show cylinders floating down the river, with some individuals attempting to retrieve them despite repeated warnings from authorities about the potential danger.

Raigad district administration has cautioned residents that some of the washed-away cylinders may still contain liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), making them hazardous to handle. Officials have strongly advised the public not to collect, open, transport or use any cylinder found in rivers, creeks or on riverbanks.

Collector Kishan Jawale urged residents to immediately inform authorities if they spot any of the missing cylinders instead of attempting to recover them on their own. He also requested that anyone who has already recovered a cylinder should safely surrender it at an authorised collection centre.

The recovered cylinders can be deposited at the HPCL Patalganga LPG Bottling Plant or any nearby HPCL LPG distributor. The district administration has warned that handling the cylinders improperly can increase the risk of gas leaks, posing a serious risk to life.

Despite the warnings, some locals have been seen risking their lives to loot the washed-up cylinders, prompting concerns about the potential consequences of their actions.