The present study examined the factors influencing on drought distress among vulnerable communities in rural Karnataka, India. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. A sample of 264 vulnerable communities was interviewed, 13 measured variables were identified, and a 5-point Likert scale was used to validate the study. The results of the study indicate that three factors contribute to drought: Drought Distress Factors (DDF), Economic Factors (EF), and Social Factors (SF). This study further revealed that vulnerable communities are most distressed by deficits because of frequent incidents of drought, high temperatures due to climate change, and losses of agricultural and income generation livelihood activities, which are leading challenges in sustaining livelihoods among vulnerable communities. Subsequently, the government should compensate for losses such as crop damage and livestock, and crop insurance can be introduced by providing skill-based training, which can be used as a livelihood to sustain vulnerable communities.