Xinhua examines the reasons behind the recent mudslide disaster in Zhouqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province.
"A lingering drought lasting almost 9 months in some local areas and the 2008 Sichuan earthquake that might have loosened the mountainside and caused some cracks are also reasons behind the devastating mudslide," said Tao Qingfa, Deputy Director of the Department of Geological Environment of Ministry of Land and Resources.
He stressed that mudslides are more devastating than floods, "They move so fast that there is hardly any time left for evacuation." Adding that "the country must adopt precautionary measures against such geological disasters, including regular inspections of mountains, evacuations of residents from mudslide-prone areas, building of walls and stronger structures."