New Delhi: The national Capitals air quality was recorded in the moderate category on Tuesday, while a government forecasting agency said it is likely to turn poor by Friday. Delhi recorded a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 177, which falls in the moderate category. It was 159 on Monday. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe. "Favourable ventilation condition is likely to keep Delhis AQI in the moderate category for the next two days," the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said. However, it said, the late withdrawal of monsoon and associated stagnant winds are likely to influence Delhis air quality negatively by the weekend. By October 2, the air quality is likely to slip to the "lower end of the poor category", SAFAR said. The monsoon started receding from Rajasthan on Monday. It is expected to withdraw from the rest of northwest India in the next three days, according to an India Meteorological Department official. SAFAR observed an "increase" in farm fires on Monday around Punjab, Haryana, and neighbouring border regions, but said no significant impact is expected on Delhis AQI in the next two days.

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