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Desert dust storm chokes Sydney Desert dust storm chokes Sydney
(about 3 hours later)
Australia's biggest city, Sydney, has been shrouded in red dust blown in by winds from the deserts of the outback. A large stretch of Australia's east coast, including the largest city Sydney, has been shrouded in red dust blown in from the desert outback.
Visibility is so bad that international flights have been diverted and harbour ferry traffic disrupted. Visibility in Sydney is so bad that flights have been diverted and harbour ferry traffic disrupted.
Emergency services reported a surge in calls from people suffering breathing problems. Children and the elderly have been told to stay indoors. Landmarks, including the Opera House, have been obscured and many residents are wearing masks.
Sydney's landmarks, including the Opera House, have been obscured, and many residents are wearing masks. Emergency services have reported a surge in calls from people with breathing problems.
Traffic has been bumper-to-bumper on major roads. Children and the elderly have been told to stay indoors. Traffic has been bumper-to-bumper on major roads.
I'm 72 years old and I've never seen that in my life before Sydney resident Your pictures: Sydney dust storm It was like waking up to see that Armageddon is upon us Andrew Hawkins, Sydney resident Your pictures: Sydney dust storm class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8270337.stm">Sydney dust storm 'like Mars'
The dust blanketing eastern parts of New South Wales has been carried by powerful winds that snatched up tons of topsoil from the drought-ravaged west of the state. By Wednesday morning, the dust storm stretched 600km along the coast of Australia, a scientist with the New South Wales (NSW) government told the Sydney Morning Herald.
One Sydney resident told the Associated Press news agency: "The colour was amazing... I'm 72 years old and I've never seen that in my life before." Powerful winds generated by a major cold front have scoured tons of topsoil from the drought-ravaged interior of the state.
Officials said air pollution levels from the dust were the highest recorded since records began in the 1970s, with 15,500 micrograms of particles per cubic metre.
"On a clear day the readings for particulate matter or PM10 is around 10 - 20 micrograms per cubic metre," said Chris Eiser of the NSW department of the environment.
"During a bushfire, when there is heavy smoke around, we might see readings of around 300 to 500 micrograms per cubic metre.
'Life on Mars'
Sydney resident Andrew Hawkins said "it was like waking up to see that Armageddon is upon us.
The sky was bathed in a red hue, and I must say that the thought did cross my mind that either my eyes were playing up on me, that something catastrophic had occurred... or that it was something meteorological," he told the BBC.
Major landmarks have been obscured by the cloud of dust
Tanya Ferguson described the dust storm as the weirdest thing she has ever seen in her life.
"It was like being on Mars," she told the BBC, "I haven't been there, obviously, but I imagine that's what the sky would look like."
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology warned of "widespread damaging winds" in Sydney and other areas, as gusts of 65km/h (40mph) hit the city.The Australian Bureau of Meteorology warned of "widespread damaging winds" in Sydney and other areas, as gusts of 65km/h (40mph) hit the city.
Forecasters predicted the winds would weaken later on Wednesday.Forecasters predicted the winds would weaken later on Wednesday.
The BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says it has been a difficult 24 hours for Australia, which has been hit by earthquakes, hail storms and bushfires.The BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says it has been a difficult 24 hours for Australia, which has been hit by earthquakes, hail storms and bushfires.
In parts of New South Wales, huge hail stones whipped up by thunderstorms smashed windows and sent residents running for cover.In parts of New South Wales, huge hail stones whipped up by thunderstorms smashed windows and sent residents running for cover.
Further north in Queensland, officials banned open fires in many areas when bushfires sprang up after a spell of hot, dry weather.Further north in Queensland, officials banned open fires in many areas when bushfires sprang up after a spell of hot, dry weather.
Two minor earthquakes hit Victoria state on Tuesday, and heavy rains that followed led officials to issue a warning of flash floods.Two minor earthquakes hit Victoria state on Tuesday, and heavy rains that followed led officials to issue a warning of flash floods.
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Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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