Authorities have urged residents not to touch or collect the cylinders after floodwaters swept them away from an HPCL bottling plant in Raigad district.
July 9, 2026: Thousands of LPG cylinders were swept away by floodwaters after severe waterlogging hit the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) LPG bottling plant at Patalganga in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. Officials said nearly 3,000 cylinders, including both filled and empty ones, were carried into the Patalganga River. Videos showing the cylinders floating downstream and locals attempting to retrieve them have gone viral on social media.
The Raigad district administration appealed to the public not to handle or use any cylinder found in the river or along its banks. Citizens have been asked to immediately hand over the cylinders to HPCL, the nearest HPCL dealer, the Tehsildar offices in Khalapur or Pen, or the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer in Pen. District Collector Kishan Jawale also warned residents against taking the cylinders home, citing safety concerns.
The incident sparked widespread reactions online, with many questioning how floodwaters could inundate a major LPG bottling facility. Social media users raised concerns about safety and infrastructure, while others compared the visuals to scenes from a movie. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have reiterated that all recovered cylinders should be returned to designated government or HPCL offices.