China's independently developed Wing Loong-2H unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has completed its first flight for artificial rain enhancement in southwest China's Guizhou Province, according to the developer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) on Tuesday.

During the flight of nearly five hours, the UAV's rain enhancement operation covered the western regions of the province, including the cities of Bijie, Liupanshui and Anshun.

As China now enters a critical timing of spring ploughing, the demand for agricultural drought resistance and reservoir water storage has increased.

In the next step, the UAV will carry out regular operations in Guizhou, mainly in key areas of grain production, ecological restoration and key river basins. 

Its service will effectively reduce the adverse impact of drought and disastrous weather there, create favorable conditions for spring agricultural production, and improve forest fire prevention and disaster reduction.