Dramatic footage of sandstorm in Western Australia

An enormous wall of dust has hit part of Australia as residents brace themselves for a tropical cyclone.

The stunning images of the wild dust storm were captured by tugboat works and aeroplane passengers near the town of Onslow in north-western Australia.

Local reports say the huge swathes of red sand and dust had been picked up by strong winds in the Indian Ocean before being dropped near the town.

The tsunami-like wave of sand could be seen traveling for miles and dwarfed ships out at sea.

Tugboat worker Brett Martin, who shot some of the pictures, said before the storm hit conditions were calm and glassy.
But when the dust arrived visibility was reduced to just 100 meters and the swell rose to two meters.

It is the latest incident in weeks of dramatic weather in the country that has been besieged by terrible bush fires after unprecedented high temperatures and strong winds ravaged much of the south east.

But now residents in north-western Australia are preparing themselves for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Bureau of Meteorology manager of climate services Glenn Cook told The Australian the dust storm was not directly related to the cyclone - the center of which is still hundreds of kilometers away.

Wind gusts in Onslow reached 63mph and the dust storm was made worse by the lack of rain in the region.

Climate information officer John Relf told The Australian: 'If it's pretty dry in land, boom, there you go. It was the right recipe.'
He said dust storms were rare and may only happen once or twice a year, if at all.

The dramatic weather is set to continue as the category-three cyclone heads to north-western Australia.

Local forecasters warned of 60mph gales and gusts of more than 80mph and oil and mining operations are preparing to close when the cyclone lands.

Car giant Chevron is also set to evacuate workers from Barrow Island - about 30 miles off the coast