The May 12th earthquake caused widespread destruction in Wenchuan County, the quake's epicenter. As the region enters its rainy season, people are now faced with the danger of quake-induced secondary disasters. A group of geological experts has been dispatched to Wenchuan to check on the situation.

The May 12th earthquake caused widespread destruction in Wenchuan County, the quake's epicenter. As the region enters its rainy season, people are now faced with the danger of quake-induced secondary disasters.

Wenchuan is located in a river valley and has a complicated geological structure. The experts say mountain collapses, landslides and mudslides are the three major secondary geological disasters likely to affect the region in the wake of the earthquake.

Zhang Wei, Head of Geological Experts Team said "We are asking local authorities to coordinate with us in evacuating people from the areas that are likely to be hit by these three kinds of disasters."

The initial assessment shows there are over a hundred spots in Wenchuan that face the threat of collapsing cliffs including this temporary settlement area.

Zhang Wei said "When there is heavy rainfall the leakage of water through mountains will cause the earth and stone to move forward and fall."

The Minjiang River which flows through Wenchuan has witnessed an increasing water level as fallen rubble blocks half of the river. The authorities are speeding up measures to deal with all the potential dangers in the county.

(CCTV June 10, 2008)