Images capture orange dust storm that swallowed an Australian town

A striking cloud of thick red dust has covered the small town of Charleville in rural Queensland after wild weather swept through the state.

The dust storm sweeps towards Charleville, Queensland.

The dust phenomenon occurred on Tuesday when high winds swept through the area kicking up dust that had settled after a spell of dry weather.

While dust storms are not uncommon in the area, locals said it was unusual for the dust cover to be so thick and brightly coloured.

Heavy rain and damaging winds left other parts of northern and inland Queensland with a large cleanup operation after trees were uprooted and roofs ripped off during the storm’s peak.

Read Amy McNeilage’s story in The Guardian - “Images capture orange dust storm that swallowed an Australian town.”