Expert: Mountain damaged internally

Past quakes inflicted deep 'wound'; remedial action will require decades

The landslide in Xinmo village is likely the result of constant regional rains recently, combined with structural damage to the mountain caused by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, experts said on Sunday.

Disaster prevention in the region will be a long and difficult battle, they said, adding that it will take two to three decades for scientists to fully understand the situation, and for measures to be taken to prevent new dangers.