Tragedy in Patna Farmlands: Three Farmers Electrocuted During Ploughing, One Battles for Life

Patna, July 9, 2025 — A quiet morning turned into a nightmare for three farmers in a small village near Patna when a routine day in the fields ended in a horrific accident involving live electric wires. The incident, which occurred in the Bihta block of Patna district, has left one farmer critically injured while two others are recovering from shock and burn injuries.

A Morning Like Any Other

It was around 8 AM when the three farmers—identified as locals from the nearby hamlet—had taken their bullock-driven ploughs out to prepare their land for the upcoming crop season. The air was thick with anticipation and the earthy smell of monsoon-soaked soil. For these farmers, every day is a battle against weather, prices, and fate—but this day had something more sinister in store.

Unseen Danger Below

As the plough blade dug into the moist field, it unknowingly struck an exposed underground electric wire that had allegedly been left unattended after a past storm or unreported maintenance issue. The moment the metal hit the wire, a surge of electricity passed through the plough, traveling instantly to the farmers holding the reins.

Witnesses say they heard a loud zap followed by the screams of the men as they collapsed onto the ground. A local resident working nearby rushed to the scene and called for help.

One Fights for His Life

Among the three, one farmer—reportedly in his mid-thirties—bore the brunt of the electric shock. He was rendered unconscious and sustained severe burns to his hands, chest, and legs. He was quickly rushed to a private hospital in Patna, where doctors say his condition is critical. The other two suffered relatively minor injuries and were treated at a local health center before being discharged.

Their families are still in disbelief, grappling with both emotional trauma and the growing medical expenses. “He went out just to work the field. Who knew this would happen?” said the brother of one of the victims, his voice shaking.

Questions on Accountability

This incident has sparked outrage among the villagers, who allege negligence on the part of the electricity department. According to them, they had previously reported sagging or exposed wires in the area, but no concrete action was taken.

“The authorities wait for tragedy to strike before they act,” one farmer said bitterly, pointing toward the still-visible charred spot in the field. “Will they now pay attention?”

Local officials have acknowledged the incident and promised an investigation, but residents remain skeptical. For them, such promises have been made before—rarely followed by real action.

A Wider Concern

Unfortunately, this isn’t a one-off incident. Across rural India, aging infrastructure and poor maintenance of electric lines have turned farms into danger zones. The combination of wet soil, open fields, and unpredictable wiring creates a deadly cocktail that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

For these farmers, whose livelihoods already hang by a thread due to unpredictable weather and fluctuating market prices, such risks only deepen the sense of vulnerability. “We risk everything to feed this country,” said one elderly farmer nearby. “Yet our lives are so easily endangered.”

A Call for Change

As the injured farmer lies in a hospital bed, fighting for survival, his family prays—not just for his recovery but for someone to finally take responsibility. Villagers are now demanding immediate action, from repair of exposed lines to financial compensation for the victims.

The tragedy in Patna is a stark reminder that while India’s agricultural sector fuels its economy, its backbone—the farmers—still face threats not just from nature, but from human negligence.

Until such time that proper safety measures are enforced, and infrastructure is upgraded, farming in many regions will remain not just a labor of love, but a gamble with life.