Heavy monsoon rains triggered a dramatic incident in Maharashtra’s Raigad district after floodwaters swept away nearly 3,000 HPCL LPG cylinders, with viral videos showing the cylinders floating down the Patalganga River. The visuals quickly spread across social media, where many people were seen rushing towards the riverbanks and even entering the water in an attempt to retrieve the drifting cylinders, despite the dangers posed by strong currents and possible gas leaks.
The 3,000 HPCL cylinders Maharashtra floods incident unfolded after relentless rainfall caused the Patalganga River to overflow, breaching the boundary wall of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) LPG bottling plant at Chavane in Raigad district.
Floodwaters breach HPCL plant, cylinders swept into river
According to officials, heavy rain caused the river’s water level to rise rapidly, allowing floodwaters to enter the HPCL LPG bottling facility. The force of the current washed away around 3,000 LPG cylinders, including both filled and empty units.
The cylinders were carried downstream through the swollen Patalganga River and nearby Kharpada Creek. Videos captured from bridges and riverbanks showed hundreds of cylinders floating in clusters, creating an unusual and alarming scene.
The incident has become one of the most widely shared visuals from this year’s monsoon season in Maharashtra.
Viral videos show people risking lives
As news of the drifting cylinders spread, several local residents gathered along the riverbanks. Viral videos circulating online showed some people entering the floodwaters to catch the floating cylinders while others attempted to pull them ashore using ropes and makeshift equipment.
The 3,000 HPCL cylinders Maharashtra floods visuals have drawn widespread reactions online, with many social media users expressing concern over the risks involved. Authorities have repeatedly urged people not to approach or handle the cylinders, warning that some may still contain LPG and could become hazardous if damaged.
Authorities issue urgent safety advisory
Following the incident, the Raigad district administration appealed to residents not to collect, transport or tamper with any LPG cylinders found in the river or nearby areas.
Officials said it is difficult to determine whether individual cylinders still contain LPG or whether they sustained damage during the floods. Mishandling such cylinders could increase the risk of leaks, fire or explosions.
Residents have instead been asked to immediately inform local authorities or HPCL officials if they spot any cylinders so that trained personnel can safely recover them.
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Recovery efforts underway
Authorities and HPCL teams have launched recovery operations to trace and retrieve the missing cylinders from the river and adjoining areas.
The incident occurred as several parts of Maharashtra continue to experience heavy monsoon rainfall, resulting in flooding, waterlogging and disruption to normal life. Officials are monitoring the situation closely while urging the public to stay away from flooded rivers and strictly follow safety advisories.
The 3,000 HPCL cylinders Maharashtra floods incident serves as a reminder of the powerful impact of monsoon flooding and the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks during natural disasters.
