Sydney Chokes on Smog 11 Times Above Hazardous Level

Gone are the clear skies and blue harbours as the city of Sydney chokes from the smog caused by the bushfires on the city's outskirts.

The largest city of Australia lies about 60 kilometers southeast of the fire-stricken states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, where at least 100 bushfires were still burning since November. The report said that some part of the cities suffered from an air quality that are 11 times the threshold "hazardous level".

Richard Broome, director of the environmental health of the New South Wales, said that the smog could cause sore eyes, and nose and throat irritations. Children, elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions are especially at risk.

The haze did not just hurt the eyes and throat of the citizens, but it also obscured visions. Some Twitter users have uploaded pictures of famous landmarks like Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge that disappeared behind the black smog.

Twitter user Corey Ginnivan compared the scenario to the 2006 horror film Silent Hill.

Additionally, some schools have also suspended class indefinitely because their buildings could not keep off the smoke. Some business facilities, including schools, also reported that the smoke triggers the fire alarm system.

Ferries also have suspended its operation in lunchtime on Tuesday due to worsening visibility condition.

The government still has not issued an evacuation order but due to the disaster that has been going on for almost two weeks already, some citizens are fleeing the city, Barry Calvert, mayor of Hawkesbury, told Reuters.

Beaches became black

In addition to the smog problem, beaches in Sydney also became black as charcoals and ash particulates washed up on shorelines.

Concerns on its possible impact to the marine ecosystems were risen up, as the particles could clog up on the wildlife respiratory system. But local residents also feared for the safety of their drinking water.

Bushfires amplified by climate change

Based on the report of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service on Tuesday morning Eastern time, 96 bushfires were scattered all over the states. At least 5.3 million acres of lands have been scorched since the beginning of the crisis in November.

Although the occurrence of bushfire during the hot season is normal in Australia, this was the first time the city witnessed something as big as this. Researchers were blaming it to climate change caused by human activities.

Due to the drought caused by the less rainfall the country experienced this year, the landscape became more prone to burning. The heat also amplified the storm.

Since 1910, the average annual temperature in Australia has increased by 1.8 degrees Celsius, according to the report of the Australian government.