Yellow Leaf Disease (YLD) poses a significant threat to arecanut cultivation, particularly in the South Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala. This study aimed to assess the incidence and intensity of YLD in the Malnad regions of Karnataka during 2021-22. Intensive roving surveys were conducted in major arecanut-growing areas, namely Sringeri, Koppa, and Narasimharajapura taluks of Chikkamagaluru district. The assessment was made through selecting five fields per location and calculating the percent disease incidence and intensity based on observed symptoms following established scoring systems. Results revealed varying levels of disease incidence and intensity across surveyed taluks and villages. In Chikkamagaluru district, Koppa, Narasimharajapura, Sringeri, and Kalasa taluks exhibited incidence ranging from 0 per cent to 100 per cent and intensity from 80 per cent to 100 per cent, while Narasimharajapura and Mudigere taluks showed incidence from 0 per cent to 60 per cent and intensity from 0 per cent to 30 per cent. The study underscores the endemic nature of YLD in these regions, likely influenced by soil and environmental factors, particularly in hilly areas with high rainfall.