Around 3,000 LPG cylinders swept away by floodwaters in Raigad, Maharashtra

Heavy monsoon rains across Maharashtra have triggered severe flooding in several districts. In Raigad, the protective wall of HP CL’s Patalganga LPG bottling plant gave way, allowing floodwaters to sweep roughly 3,000 LPG cylinders—both filled and empty—into the swollen Patalganga River and the adjoining Kharpada Creek.

Videos of hundreds of red cylinders floating downstream went viral, drawing crowds to a nearby bridge. District Collector Kishan Javle issued an urgent safety advisory, warning residents not to touch, collect, or use any cylinder, noting that some may still contain gas and could pose a serious explosion risk. He asked anyone spotting cylinders to report them immediately and directed recovered cylinders to the HP CL plant, nearby HP CL dealers, the Tehsildar offices in Khalapur and the local area, or the Sub‑Divisional Officer’s office.

Authorities have begun a recovery operation; about 1,000 cylinders have been retrieved so far, with police, fire‑brigade, industrial‑safety and revenue officials coordinating the effort. The broader monsoon alert remains in place for coastal districts such as Palghar, Raigad and Ratnagiri, while rail services experience minor delays and road transport continues under caution.