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Ukrainian authorities officially announced that Hungary has redirected floodwaters into Ukraine, contributing to a second wave of flooding in the Transcarpathia region

Hungary has redirected floodwaters into Ukraine, contributing to a second wave of flooding in the Transcarpathia region, Novy TV channel reported on March 20.

Water levels in the Transcarpathia region again rose by nearly two meters after subsiding following heavy flooding in the area.

This marks the second time in as many weeks that Ukraine has accused Hungary of diverting waters during a flood crisis affecting both countries, after rivers in the region overflowed in early March due to melting snow coming off the mountains.

Over 10 Ukrainian villages in the Berehivsky district suffered damage when a dike burst near the Hungarian village of Tarpa.

Hungarian authorities said that 20 populated areas in Hungary suffered as a result of the break and that that was the only reason why they allowed water to be pumped off onto Ukrainian territory, the TV report said.

Ivan Zayets, Ukraine’s environmental minister said, “We are not just taking water in such big volumes from the Hungarian side in this case, but we are also pumping this water into the Tisza and Latorytsia rivers at our own expense, spending huge funds.”

The report said that high‑level officials confessed in private talks that they were afraid to cause an international scandal concerning the Hungarian dike, which broke a week ago.

Floodwaters began ravaging the region in the wake of heavy rains and melting snow in the Transcarpathian mountains. At least seven Ukrainians have died in the flooding.

Zayets said he thought the flooding was more severe this year because of global warming. Experts have also pointed to illegal logging as a factor, because trees slow the melting of snow.