An enormous dust storm has engulfed much of eastern Australia and the country's largest city, Sydney, has been shrouded in a thick red haze. The desert storm is particularly intense due to several years of what has been described as one of the worst droughts in history. Fierce winds have been scooping up tonnes of topsoil.

The health authorities in New South Wales are calling on people to remain indoors. especially children, pregnant women and people suffering poor health. Several hundred people called emergency services because of breathing difficulties. Visibility is so poor that people can only see a few metres. International flights have been diverted and ferry traffic has been disrupted.

Sydney engulfed in red haze
Kate's Diary (flickr)