Virudhunagar, located in the southwest region of Tamil Nadu and home to 21.5 lakh people, is a major hub of industrial activity. The district hosts key cement manufacturing units in Alangulam and Thulukkapatti and a strong textile industry centered in Rajapalayam, further strengthened by the PM MITRA Park in Kumaralingapuram. These industries, along with other subsectors, are supported by a network of 41,604 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that supply raw materials and provide essential allied services. Despite its industry-led economy, which contributes 45 percent of the district’s Gross Value Added, Virudhunagar retains a strong rural character, with 53 percent of its land under agriculture and 66.3 percent of its population employed in the sector.

The district experiences semi-arid climatic conditions marked by high inter-annual variability, making it particularly vulnerable to climate impacts. Rising temperatures of up to 2.8°C by 2090 and increasingly erratic monsoon patterns under the RCP 8.5 scenario, along with historical trends of more frequent heatwaves and extreme rainfall, heighten risks to agriculture, industry, and public health. This report examines these challenges to inform strategies for a resilient and sustainable future for Virudhunagar.