Fresh downpours on Wednesday caused yet another landslide in Zhouqu, compounding disaster relief efforts by blocking off a recently reopened road and increasing to dangerous levels the waters of a dammed up lake.

The development makes it a must to assess the extent of the threat from such geological hazards in the county and efforts to reduce that to a minimum.

Zhouqu in Gansu province lies more than 1,000 m above sea level; landslides are a frequent occurrence due to its peculiar geological conditions. The comparatively flat area where the county hub is located was formed due to earlier landslides.

Geological experts have identified in the last couple of days nine areas that are at high risk of being swamped by landslides again. They have even urged rescue workers to relocate at once to safer areas if heavy rains strike again.

This definitely means the threat from geological hazards has not passed, and prevention measures to limit such calamities must take precedence over reconstruction efforts.

More experts must be sent to the area to further investigate and assess the geological conditions. That will help in sustainable reconstruction and development.

Efforts to stop loose soil and rocks from tumbling down the mountainsides during times of increased precipitation must be detailed and implemented as quickly as possible.

The plan must not only involve building of dams to strengthen the loose soil, but also measures such as planting of trees and shrubs on the mountainsides, which will go a long way in improving the geological conditions.

If such endeavors are deemed too expensive or infeasible, then the county should never be allowed to expand beyond its current boundaries.