Ananya Lohia , Mumbai - Thousands of LPG cylinders were swept away by floodwaters from an HPCL bottling plant in Maharashtra's Raigad district after heavy rainfall caused severe waterlogging. Authorities have urged people not to touch or collect the cylinders.

According to district officials, nearly 3,000 LPG cylinders, both filled and empty, were washed away from the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited's Patalganga LPG Bottling Plant in Panvel and drifted into the Patalganga River. Videos showing LPG cylinders floating in the river and locals attempting to retrieve them have gone viral on social media, raising concerns over public safety and the flooding of the bottling facility.

Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale has appealed to residents not to handle or use any cylinder found in the river or along its banks. Citizens have been instructed to hand over any recovered cylinders to HPCL, the nearest authorised dealer, or local administrative offices.

Authorities are monitoring the situation and have urged the public to follow safety advisories, warning that mishandling the cylinders could pose a serious risk while efforts continue to recover the missing LPG cylinders.