Watch: Thousands of HPCL LPG Cylinders Swept Into Patalganga River After Retaining Wall Collapse Due To Floods
Watch: Thousands of HPCL LPG Cylinders Swept Into Patalganga River After Retaining Wall Collapse Due To Floods
Heavy rainfall in Raigad’s Panvel taluka caused flooding at an HPCL LPG storage facility, washing away thousands of domestic gas cylinders into the Patalganga River. Authorities have appealed to citizens not to handle the cylinders and to return any recovered units to designated government offices or HPCL dealers.
By Vidhi Lalla
Pune: Heavy rainfall continued to batter Panvel and surrounding parts of Raigad district on Wednesday, triggering flooding in the Patalganga River and leading to an unusual incident in which thousands of domestic LPG cylinders were swept away after a retaining wall at an HPCL storage facility collapsed.
According to local reports, floodwaters entered the HPCL cylinder storage yard at Chavane-Jambhivali after the Patalganga River rose to dangerous levels. The force of the water damaged the protective wall surrounding the facility, allowing a large number of LPG cylinders to be carried away by the floodwaters.
Videos and photographs of hundreds of red gas cylinders floating downstream quickly spread across social media, with many comparing the scene to sequences from the film ‘Pushpa’.
The floating cylinders were later spotted near Kharpada Bridge and at several locations downstream, attracting large crowds of curious onlookers. Eyewitnesses said some villagers even attempted to retrieve cylinders from the river, prompting authorities to issue safety warnings.
District officials said around 3,000 cylinders are believed to have been washed away, although recovery operations are continuing. District Disaster Management Officer Sagar Pathak said that around 1,000 cylinders had been recovered so far, while efforts to trace the remaining cylinders are underway.
Officials clarified that some of the cylinders are filled with LPG while others are empty, making it unsafe for members of the public to handle or transport them without proper precautions.
Following the incident, the district administration and HPCL appealed to citizens not to keep any cylinder found in flood-affected areas. People who recover cylinders have been asked to deposit them at the nearest HPCL dealer, the HPCL company, the Tehsildar’s Office in Khalapur or Pen, or the Sub-Divisional Officer’s Office in Pen.
Emergency response teams reached the site soon after the incident, and authorities are continuing to assess the damage while monitoring the situation. No loss of life or injuries had been reported at the time of reporting.
The incident comes amid widespread heavy rainfall across parts of Maharashtra, with rivers in several districts witnessing a sharp rise in water levels. Officials have urged residents living near rivers and flood-prone areas to remain alert and avoid entering fast-flowing water.
Safety Advisory for the Public
- Do not touch or attempt to collect floating LPG cylinders, even if they appear undamaged.
- Do not transport recovered cylinders in private vehicles without instructions from authorities.
- If you spot a cylinder, inform the nearest HPCL dealer, local police, Tehsildar’s office or district administration immediately.
- Keep children and onlookers away from cylinders lying in floodwaters or on riverbanks.
- Avoid entering flooded rivers or streams to retrieve any object, as strong currents can be life-threatening.
- Follow official advisories until recovery operations are completed.
Disclaimer: Information regarding the number of cylinders washed away and recovered is based on official statements available at the time of reporting. Recovery operations are ongoing.
