Christian Horner received hundreds of comments from baffled fans after he posted a Mother’s Day message to wife Geri Halliwell on Sunday.

Fans claimed the timing of his message was ‘strategic’ amid his ‘sex texts’ scandal and branded him ‘stupid’ for not disabling comments on his Instagram.

The Red Bull team principal, 50, shared photos of Geri, 51, to mark Mother’s Day, along with a heartfelt tribute to her in the caption.

Christian had been cleared of allegations of ‘coercive behaviour’, but has been fighting for his future after flirtatious text messages apparently exchanged between him and the female complainant were divulged to 149 F1 figures.

The former Spice Girl has been in attendance at both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prixs to show her support to her husband amid the controversy.

Christian shared two photos of Geri featuring the couple’s seven-year-old son Monty, as well as another snap with his own mother Sara.

He wrote: ‘Happy Mother’s Day – So appreciative of the mums in our family for everything they do. We’re always grateful, today and every day.’

But fans were left pondering over his integrity amid his sweet post, with one claiming that he ‘wasn’t fooling anyone’.

Other comments read: ‘My brother, you are digging yourself a deeper hole.’

‘What a joke….’, while another read: ‘Why would he leave the comments on [laughing emoji]’. 

‘The audacity’, another penned: ‘Read the room…..’ 

Christian, who has won 13 world championships since heading the team as a 31-year-old in 2005, had previously thanked his ‘very supportive wife’ for her backing during the accusations.

The couple mixed in social circles before they struck up a romance, having first met each other at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2009.

‘[Geri] was a guest of [former CEO of the Formula One Group] Bernie Ecclestone’s in Monaco one year and came down the pit lane,’ Horner previously told The Telegraph. ‘I remember [McLaren boss] Ron Dennis was standing next to me and Eddie Jordan was there as well.

‘She gave Ron a kiss on the cheek, and she gave Eddie a kiss on the cheek. So I thought, ‘OK, I’m on for a kiss on the cheek here!’ And I went to give her one and she shoved her hand out at me.’

Their relationship, however, got off to a rocky start, coming under fire after the Red Bull chief left his long-term partner Beverley Allen six months after she gave birth to their daughter Olivia.

While the couple took a short break to see if Christian could rescue his relationship with the mother of his child, just nine months later he announced his engagement to Ginger Spice in an advertisement in the The Times in 2014.

It said: ‘The engagement is announced between Christian, son of Mr and Mrs G.M. Horner and Geraldine, daughter of the late Mr L.F. Halliwell and Mrs A Parkinson.’

The former Spice Girl and Red Bull boss tied the knot at St Mary’s Church in Woburn, Bedfordshire, in 2015.

The singer, shares Bluebell 17, with her screenwriter ex Sacha Gervasi. They split prior to her birth.

Geri staged another public show of unity with Christian as she watched his team charge to victory with another one-two finish in Jeddah earlier this week.

Although the pair were seen cosying up again in front of the cameras, insiders claim that the leaked texts scandal ‘has been tough on her’.

Earlier this week, Christian’s accuser was suspended on full pay as a direct result of Red Bull’s inquiry because she was reportedly ‘dishonest’ when giving evidence.

As the spotlight continues to glare on the couple, a source close to the couple told The Sun: ‘It’s been tough but Geri has been a rock for Christian through all this and he has spoken out about how much that means to him.

‘There was no question of her staying away from Saudi – that would have sent entirely the wrong message.’

Christian also faced reporters in a press conference on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s race and admitted that the scandal had taken its toll on his family, while fending off questions on the woman at the centre of it.

He also said his wife had been ‘hugely supportive’ but admitted the scandal had been ‘very trying’ on his family.

‘It’s obviously been a very trying period,’ he said. ‘I’m married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed upon your marriage.

‘I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and very supportive wife. Of course, It’s very trying, it’s very challenging. When there’s children involved, parents, families, it’s not pretty.’

He added that the grievance had been ‘dealt with in the most professional manner’ by Red Bull’s parent company GmbH, which had appointed one of the top ‘KCs in the land’.

After fielding a barrage of questions of the topic, he called for the invasion into his private life to cease and attention turned towards racing.

‘The intrusion on my family is now enough,’ he said. ‘We need to move forward. It’s time now to focus on why we’re here, which is to go Formula One racing.’

Friends of the star claimed last week that it it would ‘break her heart’ to end her marriage to Christian — the man she sees as the ‘Prince Charming’ she has longed for since she was a little girl.

It’s believed that the scandal put the couple’s marriage ‘in question for the first time’.

Friends close to Geri, who stood by her husband of nine years resolutely throughout the internal probe, revealed she had ‘the meltdown to end all meltdowns over the leaks’.

The mother-of-two has been left ‘feeling humiliated’ after the messages were spread ‘so widely out there’, a friend added.

Hundreds of intimate WhatsApp exchanges purportedly between Horner and the colleague were released via an anonymous email account.

Geri had told friends that she was ‘relieved and elated’ that the claims against her partner ‘had finally been cleared’.

Friends of the Spice Girl told the Mail she thought the scandal had ‘finally gone away’ but have warned the appearance of the intimate messages – to which there are 79 screenshots – could ‘destroy’ her.

One said: ‘All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.’

Another said he now fears for how the star, who has been left mortified at the embarrassing fall out, will be able to comprehend such a public humiliation.

He said: ‘Geri has been living in this happy, happy bubble for so many years now, she thought she had her prince and her knight in shining armour but now this.

‘She thought that it had all gone away, she was delighted and over the moon when she learned Christian had been cleared.

‘Geri was pilloried when she got together with Christian because he had just had another baby with another woman but she has worked hard to rid that image of herself and Christian, and in particular that she is a homewrecker.

‘Now it has all come crashing down. The tears stopped when the judgment came in on Wednesday, now they absolutely will have started again.

‘This will destroy her. All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.’

A man who lives on one of Notting Hill's most colorful streets says he loves the 'free entertainment' offered by tourists and influencers taking over the area.

Bart, who does not want to reveal his last name, says that hundreds of people come to his street every week to create the perfect content for Instagram or TikTok.

His street, which he also kept private, is often in the top 10 of Notting Hill's 'most Instagrammable' streets and is lined with colorful houses.

Bart's videos show the influencers zipping around the neighborhood – lying on other people's sidewalks, lighting smoke bombs and dancing in the road.

He's lived in the area for three years, but it wasn't until earlier this month that he started documenting the phenomenon on TikTok.

Bart said: 'On social media we are often shown very carefully curated snapshots of people's lives portraying seemingly perfect moments, but what lies beyond the camera lens remains unseen.

“I thought this would be an angle on TikTok that people would enjoy, and so far that has proven to be true.”

The London suburb has been romanticized in popular culture following Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant's 1999 romantic comedy of the same name.

Popular streets for the beautiful pastel-colored houses include Portobello Road, Lancester Road, Elgin Crescent and Hillgate Village – and they're all awash with influencers looking to capture the perfect aesthetic shot.

Bart understands that others may find the phenomenon annoying, but he 'loves the free entertainment.'

He said: 'The lengths people go to to get the perfect photo is quite funny.

'I recently saw someone running down the street seven times with five cameras following him.

'One of the videos shows a woman lying on her back next to a pile of rubbish waiting to be collected by the garbage collectors.

“It would annoy other people, I'm sure, but I actually see it purely as something to have a good laugh about.”

Inadvertently, Bart's TikTok account quickly became viral, with his videos racking up millions of views.

He said: 'If you live in a place like Notting Hill you have a front row seat to the comical process of taking the 'perfect' photo.'

'[They come to do] TikTok is mainly about dancing and modeling, and others just come to take a photo of a colorful street.'

Bart finds amusement by using David Attenborough's voiceover on his clips of the influencers, who calls them “the most dangerous animal on this planet.”

In other videos, he jokes that it's “day 5,000 that I'm watching influencers TikTok on my street.”

A mockery of the social media enthusiasts had Bart making fun of a 'trash day aesthetic' as the influencers draped themselves over the stairs for photos as residents took out their bins.

Bart filmed them shooting flares, posing with balloons and catching people posing in front of his own door.

But others living in Notting Hill's Hillgate Village are less than enthusiastic about the relentless influx of influencers into the area.

Lucy and Sophie Harrow live in a pastel blue house in the area and have found up to 60 people outside their home in the summer months.

They said The sun that life in the area resembles 'Disneyland' or 'the zoo' because of the figures that fill the streets for photos.

Meanwhile, experts have said the area's colorful homes could be worth 20 percent more than regular properties.

A 2020 analysis by the HomeOwners Alliance found that properties on vibrant Ten Bell Lane were worth 65 per cent more than a similar home just a few blocks away on Victoria Street.

But homeowners will have to pay the price of social media stars coming to their front door to take the perfect photo.

And the owners of the iconic Notting Hill bookshop have said sales have doubled since the pandemic, again thanks to social media's fascination with the area.

Brother duo James and Howard Malin run the bookstore and said they have seen more young people visiting to discover new books thanks to BookTok, a 'sub-community' on the app.

They previously told MailOnline how TikTok has contributed to the rise of young customers who attend because they are fans of the film and have seen it on the trendy social media platform.

They said: 'Thanks to TikTok we've seen many more young people interested in reading and discovering new books.

'TikTok has certainly had an impact on the number of people buying books (especially physical ones) – 48 percent of TikTok users are reading more books than before thanks to using BookTok.'

The Notting Hill Bookshop is located at 13 Blenheim Crescent, while the film souvenir shop – The Travel Book Shop – is located at 142 Portobello Road.

A HOMEOWNER has slammed her 'little' neighbors after they chopped her tree right in half – as she revealed her home has become a tourist attraction.

Mrs Mistry – who did not want to give her first name – was furious when her beloved 20-foot-tall pine tree was neatly chopped down the middle.

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The mother-of-two, who has lived in her sleepy cul-de-sac in Sheffield for 26 years, became attached to the greenery and loved seeing it outside her window every morning.

But one day the neighboring couple got annoyed by the huge tree and started a year-long quarrel.

Graham and Irene Lee, both in their 70s, complained that the branches were hanging over their driveway and attracting pigeons.

In 2021, they called in tree surgeons to brutally chop off half the branches.

NO FRIENDS

Although the hacking took place years ago, Ms Mistry said there is still bad feeling between the two households after her family was left “devastated” by the loss.

She told The Sun Online exclusively: “We're exchanging pleasantries now but that's all.

“After almost three years, we started living with our tree as it is, but we don't like it

'It doesn't bother me anymore, there's nothing we can do to change it. It is still there and we maintain it. We go about our business and they go about theirs.”

It's understood the tree will now be featured on Google Maps and is even a local attraction after going viral.

Ms Mistry added: “There is still the occasional car coming onto the road and you see people taking photos by the tree.

“It is a nice, quiet neighborhood to live in and the tree issue has been the only point of contention for years.”

Local resident David Hirst, who runs a walking group, told how he always takes new members along to view the much-discussed tree.

He explained: “The tree was cut down that way in 2021 because pigeons were nesting in it and the whole lot next door got bird droppings and all over their vehicle.

“It became a bit of an attraction and I understand it's now on Google Maps. The Waterthorpe area has become a bit of a highlight.”

A woman who lived in a bungalow directly opposite the pine tree said: “It doesn't bother me so much now.

'I know both residents, they have lived next to each other for about thirty years, and I am friends with both.

“The locals don't care about it anymore, but it was a funny story at the time.”

The tree should never have been torn in two. It destroys nature

LouiseLocal resident

But other residents of the peaceful area disagree.

Jane admitted, “It was a crazy idea in the first place.

“It used to be a nice lollipop shaped like a big lollipop, and it's a shame it's been cut in half.

“Trees are beautiful to look at, especially when they are in their full glory.

“It is in Mrs. Mistry's garden and they maintain the garden from their side and always have it pruned.

“I recently noticed that the bone on the other side is becoming more leafy.”

She added: “The tree has become infamous – even my cousin who lives in Australia has heard of it!

“But it has nothing to do with us, it's a dispute between the two neighbors and I think it has died down a bit now.”

Local mother Louise, walking with her three-year-old son, believes the tree “should never have been torn in half”, saying: “It is destroying nature.

“Birds nesting in that tree have not only destroyed their habitat, but cutting it in half makes it look strange.

“Birds are birds, they eat, they poop, they fly and the tree should have been left alone. Any mess can always be cleaned up.”

The Lees declined to comment.

Irene had previously told The Sun Online: “We don't regret halving it and can't believe this is still news.”

When asked if she still had disagreements with the tree's owners, she replied: “We get along with everyone on the street. We've been here for a long time.”

She had explained: “The birds weren't really the problem, the tree was blocking our driveway

“We had it professionally pruned, then the tree surgeon said to me, 'Do you know it's going to grow back?'

“If that's the case, I'll cut it again, especially if it grows out too much.

“The neighbors may own the tree, but if it extends over our property, we are legally allowed to prune it back.”

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The IDF says its forces, together with Israel's Ministry of Defense, have used various means to flood the underground network of tunnels that Hamas has used in the Gaza Strip to drive out terrorists hiding there.

The Israeli army said on Tuesday that it has pumped seawater to flood Hamas' underground tunnel network in the Gaza Strip. It was the first time the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officially acknowledged that using the controversial strategy, which some United Nations hydrologists and environmental experts warned, could destroy most of Gaza's potable water and undermine agriculture. harm.

The IDF says its forces, together with Israel's Ministry of Defense, have used various means to flood the underground network of tunnels that Hamas has used in the Gaza Strip to drive out terrorists hiding there. The flooding was considered an open secret for weeks, but the IDF finally confirmed the strategy on Tuesday.

“Water pumping was only carried out in tunnel routes and at locations that were suitable, with the method being appropriate for each case,” the IDF said in a statement. “This project was developed under combat procedures, accelerated force building efforts, and while training troops with technological expertise.”

“This instrument represents a major technical and technological breakthrough in the fight against the threat of underground terrorist infrastructure and is the result of a joint effort between various agencies in the Israeli security establishment,” the IDF added.

The IDF said this strategy represents a major technical and technological breakthrough in the fight against the threat of Hamas's underground terror infrastructure and is the result of a joint effort between various agencies in the Israeli security establishment.

The IDF did not elaborate further on the flooding of the tunnels.

However, the Wall Street Journal reported last month that Israel had built five large seawater pumps that were completed in November, about a mile north of the Al-Shati refugee camp. Each pump is capable of drawing water from the Mediterranean Sea and moving thousands of cubic meters of water per hour, which would flood the tunnels within weeks, the report said.

THE BRETON STRIPE

Oh, the faithful Breton, with its striking stripes and relaxed shape. The French classic is one of the staples of Kate's wardrobe – one of the few prints you'll see her in.

Kate pairs a casual Breton with a chic Chanel jacket and denim, once again sticking to her comfortable, luxurious vibe.

Stay true to tradition and go for a navy blue and white stripe, or a more colorful T-shirt, like this organic cotton top from & Other Stories, £35. Like Kate, you can't go wrong.

THE DENIM from the 70s

Back in 2006, when you couldn't have afforded the rest of us to be taken out of skinny jeans, Ms. Moss was already experimenting with much cooler and more flattering shapes.

It's definitely time to ditch the once ubiquitous style and loosen up, just like Kate. The high-waisted, wide-leg jeans she wore to London Fashion Week with a simple gray knit were one of her biggest understated looks. It was the embodiment of her “I just threw this on” aesthetic.

River Island has a strikingly similar pair for £50.

THE GEST

Waistcoats in the women's department are a relatively new development. They're everywhere this season, thanks in no small part to Kate.

In 2005, she rocked a tiny black three-button waistcoat at Glastonbury, with a pair of barely-there sequined hot pants.

Wellies completed a memorable Glasto look and made Moss synonymous with the festival.

For an everyday take on the look, you can opt for tuxedo-inspired black, worn with matching trousers, or this sky blue version from Jigsaw that would look perfect with Kate-approved wide-leg jeans.

THE SLOGAN KNITTED

Long before a message on your chest was popular, Kate stepped out in Bella Freud's 'Ginsberg is God' jumper and fashion editors around the world (myself included) scrimped and saved hundreds of pounds for ours.

It has proven to be worth the investment. I still wear mine all these years later – and so do they. Kate is a fan of black and white, but if you want to add a subtle pop of color to an understated look, jumper1234.com has affordable options.

THE KHAKI JACKET

The ultimate in stylish and wearable, no matter your age. Kate has many versions: underwire, multiple pockets, drawstring, front zip – all perfect for a more polished shopping dash or school run.

The khaki cargo jacket remains one of the most popular transitional styles that you'll find yourself wearing more often as the weather warms up.

I still have one from Topshop, bought in the early 90s after seeing Kate in hers, but if I were to upgrade it would be through Hush and this fantastic oversized number.

THE BALLET PUMPS

They may be everywhere now, but they are a beloved classic for devoted followers of Kate's fashion.

A quick, direct choice that is synonymous with her understated, luxurious style. They've been the supermodel's footwear of choice since the 1990s, and her collection is extensive but defined. To follow in her footsteps, go for chic black or metallic silver with the occasional touch of brilliant red or leopard print, like here at La Redoute en Boden. There's nothing schoolgirl about it, thanks to Kate.

Kate Garraway received messages of support from Britain Get Singing viewers on Sunday as she prepared to hold a vigil at her husband Derek Draper’s bedside on Christmas Day.

Former political adviser Derek, 56, is in a ‘very serious condition’ after suffering a heart attack earlier this month.

Kate, 56, performed East 17’s 1994 number one Christmas hit Stay Another Day this weekend with her Good Morning Britain colleagues Charlotte Hawkins, Alex Beresford, Laura Tobin and Dr. Amir Khan on the ITV program in an attempt to show how singing together can help us feel more connected and support our mental wellbeing.

Announcer Kate’s turn on stage, which was filmed before Derek’s heart attack, left viewers feeling emotional, with many showing their support for her while Derek is in hospital.

Taking to Twitter, someone wrote: ‘Hi Kate thinking of you there, I’m sitting at my mum’s bedside hoping for a miracle, the same miracle you’re hoping for. Sad times. I have been here since July and you are both in my thoughts and prayers.”

Someone else posted: ‘I wanted to message you but didn’t know what to say when your situation is so terrible. All I can say is: have a great time, our thoughts are always with you. Stay strong.’

While someone else wrote: ‘Just wanted to say my thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. I know you don’t know me, but I think you are a strong person going through what you went through with Derek. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

And another person shared: ‘I just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you and Derek tonight. Always have hope and I will include you in my prayers tonight.”

In March 2020, Derek became seriously ill with Covid-19, leaving him with long-term damage to his organs and requiring daily care.

Doctors put him in a medically induced coma and he became Britain’s longest-suffering coronavirus patient after spending 13 months in hospital away from his family.

Kate will reportedly spend Christmas next to her husband Derek in hospital after he suffered a heart attack earlier this month that left him ‘fighting for his life’.

Television star Kate has canceled all her work commitments in the run-up to Christmas and will spend the festive period at her husband’s bedside.

While Kate revealed she had hoped to spend the holidays as a family at home this year, the mother and her two children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, will join the lobbyist at the hospital.

A source said The sun: ‘It’s been a heartbreaking time for Kate and of course for poor Derek.

‘Unfortunately, his condition remains much the same. The children are aware of the situation and have been at their father’s bedside as much as possible.

“The whole family comes together and tries to stay strong for each other. This is especially devastating around Christmas.”

MailOnline contacted Kate’s representatives for comment.

Elsewhere on Britain Get Singing, Chris Kamara was left in tears as he spoke out about his problems with a rare speech disorder.

Apraxia is a little-understood neurological condition that affects the body’s ability to perform natural motor functions and causes speech to slow down.

Chris established himself as one of football’s most loved and celebrated sports broadcasters during his career with Sky Sports, but has recently stepped away from the spotlight following his diagnosis.

The star appeared alongside singers Aled Jones and Russell Watson in Britain Get Singing on Christmas Eve.

He performed in a ghost costume as the three stars represented the television show The Masked Singer in the competition.

Chris completed his performance successfully and received praise from judges will.i.am, Alesha Dixon, Adam Lambert and Jonathan Ross.

Chris burst into tears and said, “My life was over two years ago and now it’s back on track…”

Chris previously revealed the condition made him feel like a fraud, having developed speech problems which affected his work as part of the Soccer Saturday football team.

In his new book Kammy, published by the Daily mirrorIn his darkest moments, he admitted that he contemplated suicide because he did not want to burden his wife Anne.

“I’m going to confess something now, something I’ve never mentioned before,” he wrote. “It’s hard for me to talk about it, so please be patient.

‘I was worried about where I would end up. Would my physical and neurological decline continue? And I was more concerned about the effect it would have on the people around me.

‘I am a man who has always wanted to help, provide, love and cherish the people around me. And now I could only see myself as a burden. A shell of the man I was, that they had to take care of.’

‘Seeing myself like this was like staring into an abyss. I could never reconcile that image in my head. It was unthinkable.’

“And at that moment I thought, ‘They would be better off without me.’

Chris admitted that his thoughts had turned to Gary Speed, the former Wales manager who tragically took his own life in 2011.

The broadcasting legend said he felt he could do something “extreme” if he “kept wandering through that maze alone.”

Chris wrote that sharing his problems allowed him to realize that his future might not be ‘bleak’, despite still suffering from the condition.

He has battled to overcome his speech problems and recently returned to screens to co-host The Games and Ninja Warrior UK.

The former midfielder, who played for nine English professional clubs in a 20-year career, has also been forced to withdraw from various presenting roles due to his apraxia.

In December, a documentary called Lost For Words aired about Kamara coming to terms with the condition.

Chris was awarded an MBE earlier this year recognizing his services to football, charity and anti-racism.

Cyclone Michaung: Several metros in Greater Chennai police zone have been closed due to waterlogging, affecting daily commutes.

Cyclone Michaung Latest update: Traffic restrictions have been imposed in Chennai and other areas after heavy rains lashed the city due to the impact of Cyclone Michaung. Cyclone Michaung was heading towards Chennai and is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Nellore on December 5, bringing more intense rainfall.

Check complete traffic advisory in Chennai

The Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam road is closed due to water release from Puzhal Lake.

The Thirumangalam road diversion of 30 meters to Estate Road to Park Road has been closed due to water logging in the area.

The Chennai Police said efforts are being made to clear major waterlogged areas in collaboration with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Highways Department.

Metros closed due to flooding

Several metros in Greater Chennai police limits have been closed due to waterlogging, affecting daily commutes.

The affected metros in Chennai include Saidapet Aranganathan, Gangureddy, Madley, Duraisamy, Rangarajapuram, Pazhavanthangal, Thillai Nagar, CP road, Villivakkam, Sembium, Ganesapuram, Vyasarpadi, Manickam Nagar.

The city of Chennai in particular is facing massive waterlogging due to heavy rainfall in the state, while the Koovam river is raging as water from nearby lakes is released into it. The bridge in the Nerkundram area is surrounded by water flowing from the Koovam River.

Cyclone Michaung will make landfall today

Cyclone Michaung is likely to make landfall today on the south coast of Andhra Pradesh, between Nellore and Machilipatnam.

As the cyclone moved away from Tamil Nadu, people were seen walking on the flooded roads to buy essentials.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the “Severe Cyclonic Storm “MICHAUNG” over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal off the coast of South Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining coasts of North Tamil Nadu has been developing at a speed of 07 for the past 6 hours km/h was moving northwards and was centered at 05:30 IST today, December 5, 2023, over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal off the south coast of Andhra Pradesh, near 14.9°N latitude and 80.2°E longitude, approximately 20 km east of Kavali, 50 km northeast of Nellore, 200 km north of Chennai, 110 km southwest of Bapatla and 170 km southwest of Machilipatnam.”

It further said that Cyclone ‘Michaung’ is likely to pass through southern Andhra Pradesh on the morning of December 5 with a maximum wind speed of 90-100 kmph.

“As the system moves nearly northward, close to the coast, some parts of the wall cloud area are over land. The system is likely to move almost northward parallel and close to the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh and cross the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh between Nellore and Machilipatnam, near Bapatla, on the morning of December 5 as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph with wind gusts up to 110 kmph,” the IMD said.

The IMD said that as the system is moving almost northward, close to the coast, some parts of the wall cloud area are over land.

Chennai Airfield will remain closed for arrival and departure operations until 9 AM IST tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions.

Public life in Chennai was badly hit as heavy rains lashed several parts of the city. Several areas including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar Government Multi-Specialty Hospital and other low-lying areas were flooded due to continuous heavy rainfall.

In one place a red armchair floated in the tide. Elsewhere, garbage floated in the dirty water.

“We started to get used to the shelling, but I have never seen such a situation,” said Larisa Kharchenko, a retired nurse who thought she could survive the flood yesterday, when the water was knee-deep in her garden. but not in yet. her home. On Wednesday it poured through her door.

“Someone has to arrest Putin,” she said, referring to Russia’s President Vladimir V. Putin.

In some parts of the Ostriv district, the water reached the roofs of houses. “It just keeps coming,” Ms. Kharchenko said.

Alla Snegor, 55, a biology teacher, stepped out of a boat and looked back at the city’s flooded streets. She said she tried to stay out of the water.

“Think about what’s in this flood,” she said. “Pesticides, chemicals, oil, dead animals and fish, as well as cemeteries were washed away.” She said she boiled tap water before drinking it on Wednesday, in case the city’s water mains were drenched in flood water.

Serhiy Litovsky, 60, an electrician, said he was most concerned about the long battle ahead in southern Ukraine, one of the world’s richest agricultural regions but dependent on irrigation – most of it from the rapidly draining reservoir.

“Without irrigation, it becomes a desert here,” he said. “No one lives here without water. The legacy of this will last for decades.”

The magnitude of the disruption was difficult to fathom, he said. “Without war, this would be a major catastrophe. But this came along with the war.”