Approximately three thousand gas cylinders were swept into the Patalganga river from an HPCL plant in Raigad

Raigad: Torrential rainfall and severe flooding in the Khalapur area of Raigad district have triggered a major industrial emergency, with approximately 3,000 gas cylinders from an HPCL bottling plant being swept away into the Patalganga river, officials said on Thursday. The incident occurred at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited bottling plant located in Chavane, Panvel taluka. As the river swelled due to incessant rains in the Khalapur taluka, the strong currents washed away a massive stock of both filled and empty cylinders into the water.

Raigad district collector Kishan Jawale has issued a serious warning to residents living along the riverbanks. "If any gas cylinder is spotted in the river or along its banks, do not touch it under any circumstances, nor should any attempt be made to move it or take it home," the collector said.