In a bid to strengthen flood management, the Delhi government will commence a silt removal operation in the Yamuna river at the ITO barrage. This initiative aims to deepen the water channel starting from the left bank near the barrage, which is crucial for areas that experienced significant flooding three years ago, including ITO, Ring Road, and Rajghat. Officials have noted that the malfunctioning of the barrage's five gates, attributed to heavy silting, was a major factor in past flooding incidents. The 2023 floods saw unprecedented rainfall, leading to a record flood level of 208.66 meters on July 13, surpassing the previous high of 207.49 meters set in 1978. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has assured that the desilting will not hinder the free flow of water and that the water channel will maintain its regular size. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has called for all departments to ensure timely completion of this critical project and to make special arrangements at known flooding hotspots.