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Red Dust Blankets Sydney

Air quality 'dangerous' as limited visibility forces incoming flights to be diverted

By Will McCahill, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 22, 2009 8:36 PM CDT

(Newser) – Red dust blowing in from the Australian Outback covered Sydney today, snarling air travel and forcing locals to don masks to venture outdoors. “It’s like a nuclear winter morning,” one visitor told Bloomberg; the state government called air quality “hazardous.” Visibility was under 50 feet in some areas of the country’s largest city, the Age adds, and incoming flights were being diverted to Brisbane and Melbourne.

A person takes pictures in front of the Sydney Opera House during a dust storm today in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo)

A sightseeing boat passes in front of the Sydney Opera House during a dust storm today. (AP Photo)

People walk past an almost unseen Opera House during a dust storm today in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo)

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Red Dust Blankets Sydney

Air quality 'dangerous' as limited visibility forces incoming flights to be diverted

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Beer Cooler, GPS Beacon Save 4 at Sea

Two men and their sons stayed afloat long enough for rescue

Cafe Customer Leaves $1M Stuffed in Suitcase

Aussie cops have some questions

12-Hour Aussie Standoff Ends, Girl Safe

Police forced their way into law office after negotiations faltered

'Backpack Bomber' Has Daughter in Aussie Standoff

He's holed up in law offices near family court

Australian Towns Impose Curfews — on Cats

Deputy mayor's son becomes possums' hero

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Red Dust Blankets Sydney

Air quality 'dangerous' as limited visibility forces incoming flights to be diverted

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Australia • Sydney • air quality • flight delays • diversions • dust storm

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Beer Cooler, GPS Beacon Save 4 at Sea

Two men and their sons stayed afloat long enough for rescue

Cafe Customer Leaves $1M Stuffed in Suitcase

Aussie cops have some questions

12-Hour Aussie Standoff Ends, Girl Safe

Police forced their way into law office after negotiations faltered

'Backpack Bomber' Has Daughter in Aussie Standoff

He's holed up in law offices near family court

Australian Towns Impose Curfews — on Cats

Deputy mayor's son becomes possums' hero

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?