Locals said the residents were forced to draw water from the river after an electric motor of the Mission Bhagiratha overhead tank developed a snag two days ago.
Tiryani Sub-Inspector Ch Ramesh said the farmer Kotnaka Dev Rao (40), a resident of Kannepalli village, was killed on the spot when he suffered an electric shock while repairing the motor meant for lifting water from a well at his residence.
