3,000 HPCL gas cylinders swept away into Patalganga river amid heavy floods in Raigad

Heavy rains and severe floods in Khalapur area of ​​Raigad district triggered a major industrial emergency and around 3,000 gas cylinders from an HPCL bottling plant were washed into the Patalganga River, officials said on Thursday (July 9, 2026).

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The incident took place at the bottling plant of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) located in Chavane, Panvel taluka. As the Patalganga River swelled due to incessant rains in Khalapur taluka, strong currents dragged a huge stock of both full and empty cylinders into the water.

Khalapur Superintendent of Police (PI) Abhijit Bhujbal confirmed the incident, following which the district administration issued an urgent appeal to the public to be extremely careful.

Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale has issued a serious warning to residents living along the river. “If any gas cylinder is seen in the river or on its banks, do not touch it under any circumstances and no attempt should be made to move it or take it home,” the collector said.

The management underlined the high risk in question, stating that it was impossible to determine the technical condition or gas content of the cylinders dragged in the flood. Authorities warned that any intervention could lead to a major gas leak or explosion, resulting in heavy loss of life and property.

The administration said, “Currently, a search operation is being carried out for the missing cylinders by the administration, the Disaster Management Department and the relevant company.”

Citizens have been asked to maintain a safe distance and immediately report any suspicious cylinders they see to the local police or Disaster Management Department. Search teams are currently monitoring the course of the Patalganga River to recover missing stocks and prevent untoward incidents.