Death toll due to heat-related illnesses since the beginning of this summer has surged to 143 in Telangana, according to the State Disaster Management.

The casualties climbed from 137 to 143 after fresh deaths were reported till yesterday, an official from disaster management control room said on Friday.

Taking a serious view of the situation Chief Minister K Chnadrasekhar Rao held a conference with all District Collectors and ordered to take necessary steps to prevent people from getting affected by intense heat wave.

"Works under NREGA should not be undertaken during afternoon times when the temperature is at its peak. Medicines for sunstroke should be made available in all towns and villages," an official statement said quoting the CM.

KCR also instructed officials to take necessary steps to counter drought and recharge depleting groundwater levels in some parts of the state.

"As it appears that the situation may continue for another 30-45 days, the officials should have action plan on hand to take precautionary measures," the CM said.

He also instructed them to keep sufficient stocks of necessary items such as ORS on hand to meet the demand.

The maximum number of deaths have been reported from Medak district in the state. The last count was 34.

Besides Medak, 30 deaths in Mahbubnagar, 26 in Nalgonda, 10 in Rangareddy, 7 in Khammam, 13 in Karimnagar, 9 in Adilabad and 8 deaths in Nizamabad have been reported so far, according to officials.