Massive dust storm has hit quake-hit Christchurch in New Zealand. Reports from there say that strong winds of 70 Kilometer per hour whipped up huge dust clouds in Christchurch today hampering the search for bodies. There were fears that the winds could dislodge masonry and topple trees. District police commander Dave Cliff told reporters that the conditions have been difficult and the wind is picking up. He said it's very dusty in the inner city, which is making the rescue efforts more difficult. The winds stirred an estimated 200,000 tonnes of silt and sand pushed up from the ground after February 22 quake loosened the bond between soil particles. Search and rescue teams donned respirators as they raked through the wreckage. The death toll from last week's 6.3-magnitude tremor stood at 159 today. Police expect that it could exceed 240.