Heavy rainfall in Maharashtra's Raigad district has caused approximately 3,000 LPG cylinders, both filled and empty, to be swept into the Patalganga river from the HPCL LPG bottling plant in Chawane, Panvel. The incident occurred on July 8, 2026, as torrential rain inundated the area.
District Collector Issues Warning
Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale issued an urgent appeal on social media, cautioning residents not to keep or attempt to use any cylinders they may find. The warning emphasizes the potential danger of handling loose LPG cylinders, which could be damaged or leaking.
Extent of the Incident
The cylinders are from the HPCL facility, and authorities are working to recover them. The exact number of cylinders that remain in the river or have been recovered is not yet confirmed, but initial estimates put the figure at around 3,000. The floodwaters have made retrieval efforts challenging.
Safety Precautions
Citizens have been advised to report any sighting of cylinders to local authorities rather than handling them. The district administration is coordinating with HPCL and disaster management teams to ensure safe recovery and prevent accidents.
