A molehill in a mountain

Athugala rumbled last week, displaying a couple of fissures that according to experts are of no consequence:

By Keshena Samaraweera and Maneshka Borham

The lumbering rocky giant that stands sentinel over the Kurunegala town rumbled and roared last week, raising a red flag of concern among the residents, unsure of what to expect next.

Of the seven large rocks that surround Kurunegala, Athugala is the most magnificent. Standing 316 metres tall and resembling a giant elephant, the rock is said to be the sole reason behind the various names, ranging from Athugalpura to Hasthishailapura, given to this majestic city, once the royal capital of Sri Lanka.

According to legend, the rocks that define the regal city were once in fact live animals. It is said the area once suffered a terrible drought, which dried up all the water sources, endangering the animals and turning them into rocks. The myth, it is claimed, was designed to suit the meaning of ‘athugala’, large elephant.

Animal lore notwithstanding, the rock is steeped in history and even connected to the death of King Parakramabahu the fourth. It is said the enemies of the King lead him to the summit of the rock under the pretence of attending a ‘pirith’ chanting ceremony and pushed him off the rock.

Given the myths, the legend and the royal history associated with the rock and its significance to the town, the public and the authorities alike were understandably alarmed when cracks appeared on the rock surface, following what sounded like a massive explosion.

Two cracks

According to reports, on March 19, people in the surrounding area had heard an explosion, which on investigation had emerged as the cause of two cracks on the rock surface. Estimated to be 50 metres long and two feet deep, the fissures are founds towards the left hand side of the stairway leading to the 88ft Buddha statue on the top. The stairway begins near the building complex of the North Western Provincial Council.

The cracks, though cause for major concern for the residents, have become a major draw for visitors, who have, despite the oppressive heat, been coming in their droves for a first hand view of this geographical phenomenon.

Shantha Perera, 47-year-old, owns a shop at the foot of the rock. He’s been there for the past 15 years, selling flowers and other small items to visitors climbing the rock to pay homage to the Buddha statue located at the top. According to Perera, a large number of people have been visiting the site since media reported about the cracks. “Usually people visit Athugala on important poya days. However, these days people keep visiting, asking for directions to the section where the fissures have appeared,” he says.

Intense heat

At a time where bizarre explanations and assumptions are being made about the cause of the cracks, Perera is pragmatic about what has happened and wonders whether the rupture could be a caused intense heat reacting to moisture, caused by rainwater and dew collecting at the crevices. “There is a tendency for rainwater to collect in the area where the cracks have appeared. This together with the heat could be a possible cause for the rupture,” he says, adding that most of the fissures always appear on the left side of the rock

R.M.S Bandara, the head of the Landslide Research and Risk Management Division of the National Building Research Organisation, attributes the rupture is to the excessive levels of heat experienced in the past several months.

The Department of Meteorology is on record stating that temperature levels in Kurunegala during the day of the incident had reached levels between 32 and 39 degree Celsius at its highest. “While this was the highest temperature during nights the temperature drops to around 22 degree Celsius causing the rock to break up in fragments,” Bandara explains

Deeming it a natural phenomenon, Bandara says the cracks are part of the cycle of a rock, despite it being a somewhat unusual occurrence in more normal circumstances.

“But owing to the prevailing weather conditions, this incident is not one to be alarmed about,” he says, explaining that over a year ago the Thattambuwawa Rock in Yapahuwa too developed cracks of a similar nature.

Shop owners Perera agrees. “A similar but smaller incident occurred two years ago on the same side of the rock,” he says, admitting the rupture is not an uncommon incident as it has been made out to be.

Dr. Mahi Kottegoda, President of the Hasthishailapura Buduruwa Development Society says media reports alarmed Society members compelling them to send a team to Athugala to observe the situation as they were concerned about the statue on the summit.

“We then realised the media had blown the incident out of proportion,” he points out, adding there is no danger to the statue or surrounding areas. “In certain areas you notice the rock shows signs of decay due to exposure but the situation is not dangerous” he emphasises.

Not dangerous

Bandara confirms this and when questioned about how safe it is to visit Athugala in the future, says, “The cracks will not develop further and cause severe damage to the rock creating a dangerous situation.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Coordinating unit of the Kurunegala District Secretariat, W.M.S.G Wanninayake, says no warning has been issued to those living in the vicinity of the rock as the incident is not considered to be dangerous. He says no special precautions have been taken either.

Despite his worries, Perera too says no warning has been given to them to leave the area.

According Bandara media reports on the cracks on Athugala is somewhat confusing as the public seem to assume the rupture has taken place on top of the rock where the Buddha statue is located. “But in fact the cracks have appeared at the very base of the rock,” he says, emphasising that there is no cause for alarm.

So for now the proud residents of Kurunegala can rest easy while Athugala will continue to watch over this historical city.