Canberra, Nov 22 (IANS): A giant dust storm on Thursday swept across southeast Australia, turning skies orange and raising concerns about air quality.
Authorities issued a public health alert for Sydney on Thursday as the 500 km-wide dust band began to reach the city, reports the BBC.
Many regions elsewhere in the New South Wales (NSW) state have had poor visibility.
According to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, the storm has been driven by strong winds picking up dry soil.
The problem has been exacerbated by a drought that has affected the entire state of NSW since August, it said.
Health officials have urged locals to stay indoors, particularly children, older people and those with respiratory problems.