Farmer Dies of Electrocution in Saptari While Powering Water Motor for Rice Planting

A 48-year-old farmer died after being electrocuted in Saptari while trying to connect wires to an electric motor used to pump water for rice seed sowing in a banana plantation. Local police confirmed the incident happened on Thursday in Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality-1, Bhardaha.

The deceased has been identified as Sahadev Laugi, a resident of the same area. According to Inspector Bijay Karki of the District Police Office, Laugi was working with the motor when the electric shock proved fatal.

What happened in the field

Police said the farmer was attempting to pump water as part of preparation for planting rice seeds when the accident occurred. The incident took place in an agricultural setting where electric motors are commonly used for irrigation, a reminder of how routine farm work can turn dangerous when electrical systems are exposed to moisture and field conditions.

A recurring safety concern in rural farming

This is not the first fatal electrocution incident reported among farmers in Saptari. Local reporting over time has documented multiple similar deaths linked to electric motors, tubewells, and bare wires in agricultural areas. The pattern points to a broader safety issue around irrigation equipment, wiring, and handling electricity in wet conditions.

For many farmers, electric motors are essential for irrigation and planting, but accidents can happen quickly if equipment is faulty, wires are exposed, or safety precautions are missing. The tragedy underscores the need for safer field-level electrical installations and greater awareness of basic protection measures during irrigation work.

Why this matters

Farming in the region increasingly depends on electric pumps and motors, especially during planting seasons. But as this case shows, that dependence can carry serious risks when systems are not properly insulated, grounded, or maintained. The loss of a single worker can also have a deep impact on farming households that already operate under physical, financial, and seasonal pressure.

Authorities have not yet released further details on whether the motor or wiring involved in the incident had any technical fault. Police said the death occurred on Thursday, and the case remains a stark reminder of how quickly a routine irrigation task can become deadly.