Sydney issues health alert as dust storm turns skies orange
sydney — A large dust storm swirled over eastern Australia on Thursday, driven over the coast by a weather front barrelling across the drought-stricken interior.
Authorities warned residents of Sydney and other parts of New South Wales state who had respiratory or cardiovascular conditions to limit their time outdoors until the dust settled.
Adam Morgan of the Bureau of Meteorology said a low pressure system over South Australia and Victoria states had pushed strong winds across areas of western New South Wales that have experienced one of the worst drought seasons in years.
“This is the typical time of year for dust storms through inland Australia, but it is quite rare for dust to reach the east coast,” he said.
Sydneysiders woke to find a haze over the city on Thursday, but the air had cleared by the afternoon.
According to the BBC website, the authorities issued a public health alert for Sydney on Thursday as the 500km-wide dust band reached the city and caused flight delays.
Authorities said the storm was driven by strong winds picking up dry soil.
Paramedics said dozens of people had reported breathing or asthma difficulties on Thursday, but the number affected by dust was not immediately clear.
In Sydney, the dust darkened skies and caused “hazardous” air quality readings in some suburbs. —