Two small tributaries of the Jamuna are flowing through the middle of Sapadhari union of Islampur upazila under Jamalpur district. One originates from the river at Belgachha Point in Islampur. The other originates from the river at Chalubari Point in Sariakandi, near the western border of Sapadhari, and flows downstream. Four villages of Sapadhari have been devoured by the two tributaries.
It has been learned from the field visit that the tributary of the Jamuna, which originates at Belgachha Point in Islampur passes through Shildaha, Sindurtali, Sapdhari Prajapati, Nandaner Para, Char Shishua, Shishua, Kashari Doba, Indullamari, Akandapara, Mandalpara, Chengania, Tagar Char and Dailaker Char, and then joins the main stream of the Jamuna again through the eastern part of Chalua Bari area of Sariakandi. Severe river erosion has been going on at various points on both sides of the river.
Before the monsoon starts, severe river erosion is going on at Kashari Doba and Akandapara points on the left bank of this tributary river of Sapdhari and at Mandalpara point on the right bank of the Jamuna this year. More than 500 settlements, two markets, four schools, five mosques and several hundred acres of cropland in Kasharidoba and Akandapara areas are under threat of being submerged in the river. On the other hand, the tributary which originates at Chalua Bari point in Sariakandi, is flowing with great speed near the western border of Sapadhari. The terrible erosion of this tributary river on the western border of Sapadhari wiped out the settlements of at least 200 families in Bisharoshi village of Sapadhari union and about 2,000 acres of cropland during the last flood season. This year, even before the monsoon season begins, terrible river erosion is underway in Bisharoshi, Mandalpara and Dakshin Shishua areas.
Journalist Azizur Rahman Chowdhury, a resident of Kasharidoba village in Sapdhari union, said that if no measures are taken to prevent the erosion of the left bank of the tributary river flowing through the western border of Sapdhari, there is a danger that at least 2,000 acres of cropland, including the homes of at least 500 families in Mandalpara, Bisharoshi and Dakshin Shishua villages, will be wiped out by the Yamuna in this year's severe erosion.
Sapdhari UP Chairman Md Shah Alam Mondal said that severe erosion has been going on the left bank of a small tributary flowing through the western side of Mandalpara, Bisharoshi and Dakshin Shishua villages in Sapdhari union for the past two years. Most of Bisharoshi village was wiped out in last year's floods. This year, the severe erosion has started even before the monsoon . In addition, the other branch of the Jamuna flowing east of Mandalpara village is being destroyed by the terrible erosion of Kashari Doba, Akandapara and the southern part of Mandalpara villages. If the river erosion continues like this, the villages of Bisharashi, Mandalpara, Kashari Doba and Akandapara of Sapadhari will be wiped out this year in the monsoon season. He also said that if sand-filled geo bags are immediately dumped at the four points affected by the erosion of these two branches of the Jamuna, hundreds of acres of crops and vast settlements will be saved from the scourge of river erosion.
