UPSC Civil Service Exam Questions - Engineering

Q1:

What is the probable maximum precipitation (PMP) ?

A Projected precipitation for a 100-yr return period

B Maximum precipitation for all past recorded storms

C Upper limit of rainfall, which is justified climatologically

D Effective precipitable water

ANS:C - Upper limit of rainfall, which is justified climatologically

Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) is termed as "theoretically the greatest depth of precipitation for a given duration that is physically possible over a given size storm area at a particular geographic location at a given time of the year.