Heavy monsoon rain in Maharashtra’s Raigad district triggered an unusual incident when floodwaters washed away nearly 3,000 LPG cylinders from a bottling plant into the Patalganga River.
The incident occurred Wednesday after a water channel running through the Rasayani industrial zone overflowed. Videos circulating online showed hundreds of red LPG cylinders drifting rapidly downstream, highlighting the scale of flooding across the state.
Authorities confirmed recovery of around 1,000 cylinders while search operations continue for the remaining ones. District Collector Kishan Javle appealed to residents not to touch or store any cylinders found along the riverbanks. He urged people to immediately inform officials or return the cylinders to the company.
“There is no guarantee whether the cylinders contain gas or whether they are safe. Picking them up or taking them home could be extremely dangerous,” Javle said.
Officials advised citizens to cooperate with recovery teams and avoid storing cylinders at their residences. The administration emphasised that mishandling could pose serious risks to public safety.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Mumbai and Thane, forecasting thunderstorms, moderate rainfall, and gusty winds. Raigad remains one of the worst-hit regions, with overflowing rivers and inundated low-lying areas.
Flooding has already caused widespread disruption, and the unusual sight of LPG cylinders floating downstream has added to public concern. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while reinforcing safety advisories.
