Dust storm hits parts of Australia's southeast

<p style="white-space: normal;">A dust band 500 kilometers wide traversed across much of southeast Australia Thursday, prompting authorities to halt flights and issue a public health alert.</p><p style="white-space: normal;"><img src="https://imedia-peoplesdaily.pdnews.cn/up/cms/www/201811/22184835goph.jpg" title="VCG125206899_00002.jpg" alt="VCG125206899_00002.jpg"/></p><p><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);">Video source: VCG</span></p><p>Video obtained by Reuters showed dust enveloping parts of New South Wales and South Australia, turning the skies red.</p><p>The dust storm was caused by strong winds in a low pressure system that blew clouds of dirt across much of the region.</p><p>The storm is expected to blanket eastern New South Wales and Canberra.&nbsp;</p>