Sydney, Sep 23 (Inditop.com) Residents in this Australian city woke up Wednesday to an eerie red haze, said to be the worst in the past 70 years, causing commuter chaos and cancellation of several fights, a media report said.
The dust cloud covered almost the whole of New South Wales, after an extreme low pressure system moved across the state from central Australia and western New South Wales, The Australian reported citing the meteorological department.
Barry Hanstrum, regional director of the Bureau of Meteorology for New South Wales, said the visibility at Sydney airport had dropped as low as 400 metres, forcing the cancellation and diversion of several international flights.
A major traffic tunnel, called M5, was also closed and harbour ferry traffic disrupted.
A Sydney Airport spokesman said a combination of strong cross winds and low visibility would lead to flight delays throughout the day.
“We’re operating in low visibility conditions due to strong winds and dust haze,” he said.
“Departure and arrivals delays will be experienced at both Sydney and domestic and international airports.”
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, this was one of the worst storms to hit the city in at least last 70 years.
“An event like this is extremely rare,” said Hanstrum. “It’s one of the worst, if not the worst.”
The bureau issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in Sydney with a gale warning issued for Sydney closed waters.
Health authorities have advised people with respiratory illnesses to stay indoors. General public were also advised to avoid exercise until the dust cleared.
Police urged motorists to drive with caution reporting heavy traffic and low visibility.
The State Emergency Services have so far received hundreds of requests for assistance across the state, the report said.
