MILDURA descended into darkness within a matter of minutes just after 5pm this evening as a dust storm blanketed the region.

Planes have been grounded at Mildura Airport until at least 8.30pm and the terminal had to be evacuated because of dust entering the building.

The Bureau of Meteorology said wind gusts of 63 km/h were recorded.

Duty forecaster Dean Stewart attributed the "bizarre" weather...