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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe weather disaster in memory.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in community help, as citizens face what the president has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation why I wanted to do this, is to at least ensure they get one meal," Mr Reginold states. "And I was deeply gratified that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a state of emergency has been declared.

The military has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a lengthy process to recovery for the nation, which has seen its fair share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that churns out food aid.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration exploded and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist states.

"We reactivated the group as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also considers the kitchen as an "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he says.

Digital Campaigns for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a shared list to direct donations and volunteers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find shelters and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "unite to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, arguing that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

"Crises are not new to us. But, the compassion and size of our hearts is larger than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."