A 58-year-old farmer was electrocuted as he switched on a motor pump set in his farmland at Pulivalam village near Sholinghur town in Ranipet.

The deceased was identified as P. Babu. Initial inquiry revealed that it was around 7 a.m. when Babu went to his farmland to irrigate paddy fields and switched on the motor pump set. He was electrocuted. The region was also witnessing rains for the past few days.

Immediately, his neighbours disconnected the power supply. They also informed Kondapalayam police who reached the spot and registered a case. The police said that an electrical short circuit could have resulted in the incident. A probe is under way.