The drought has severely impacted farmers in Karnataka, particularly in Gadag and other affected taluks, where water scarcity and crop failures have led to financial distress. The delay in declaring certain regions as drought-hit has hindered the timely flow of relief measures, exacerbating the crisis. Political disputes over drought classification have further complicated the situation, potentially delaying assistance to vulnerable communities. The rigidity of the Drought Management Manual and the need for central approval have been identified as bottlenecks in providing swift relief.