A large aerotransport plane loaded with artificial rainfall facilities takes off in its trial operation for artificial rainfall to moisten the severe drought-hit areas in southwestern China, as a total of 14 special aerotransport planes designed and manufactured by the Air Force of the PLA Chengdu Military Area Command passed through the appraisal and are poised to the reinforced task of artificial rainfall operation as quickly as possible under adequate weather conditions, in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 27, 2010. Severe droughts have hit southwestern China since autumn last year, causing drinking water shortage, crops damage and economic losses. [Xinhua]