Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 9: Around 3,000 LPG cylinders, including both filled and empty ones, were swept into the Patalganga River after heavy rainfall inundated the HPCL Patalganga LPG Bottling Plant in Maharashtra, prompting authorities to issue a public safety advisory.

Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of red LPG cylinders being carried away by strong currents in the swollen river amid intense monsoon rains that have triggered flooding and widespread disruption across the state.

Raigad district collector Kishan Jawale urged residents not to touch, collect or attempt to open any cylinders found downstream, warning that it may not be immediately possible to determine whether they contain gas or are empty.

He advised the public to stay away from the cylinders and immediately alert the authorities if any are spotted.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai and Thane for July 9, forecasting moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and squally winds. Although rainfall intensity is expected to reduce compared to the previous spell, residents have been advised to remain cautious.

The IMD has also warned of a moderate risk of flash floods in several districts, including Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. It cautioned that low-lying areas and regions with already saturated soil could witness surface runoff and waterlogging due to continued rainfall.