Sydney is red because of the unusual sandstorm

Sandstorms covered Australia's city of Sydney with a bright red robe today, causing a series of flights to divert, messing with maritime traffic and many people complaining of difficulty breathing.

There have been no reports of injured people in this unusual event. However, the Sydney city government still closes the traffic at the port for hours and requires careful driving when traveling on the road.

Sydney Harbor Bridge is tinged with red.(Photo: Reuters)

China Daily said this sandstorm phenomenon is very rare in Sydney, especially in the midst of high winds and unusual weather events in southeastern Australia in recent days. Hail rains in many areas of Australia while many others are hot.

" I have lived 72 years in my life and have never seen anything like this, " said a city resident.

At least 10 international flights and a series of domestic flights to Sydney have to be diverted to other cities. The state's emergency assistance agency receives countless calls from people complaining about breathing difficulties. Officials recommend that people with asthma, cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases as well as the elderly and children should not go to the street.

Sydney street this morning has people coughing and rubbing their eyes back and forth. Many people wear masks, cover their face with a towel, or cover their nose and mouth with clothing. Meanwhile, many amateur photographers stopped in the middle of a crowded street hoping to capture the rare event image.

Satellite images show that the red dust obscures nearly the whole of eastern Australia and is especially thick in Sydney (Photo: Reuters).