AKIPRESS.COM - A giant dust storm has blanketed communities across south-east Australia, turning skies orange and raising concerns about air quality, BBC reports.

Authorities issued a public health alert for Sydney on Thursday as the 500km-wide (310 miles) dust band began to reach the city.

Many regions elsewhere in New South Wales (NSW) have had poor visibility.

Authorities said the storm has been driven by strong winds picking up dry soil.

The problem has been exacerbated by a drought that has affected the entire state of NSW since August, according to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.