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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, isolated by the country's most severe weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

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

"My primary motivation for getting involved, is to at least ensure they get one meal," he shares. "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 national emergency has been declared.

The armed forces has sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is arriving from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

But it will be a lengthy process to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its fair share of difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, activists who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being directed toward cyclone relief.

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist explains.

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

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he says.

Online Initiatives for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to channel resources and helpers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find shelters and see what is most needed in those areas.

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have initiated an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's impact.

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

On the ground, however, there remains a sense of togetherness as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

"Crises are not new to us. But, the empathy and capacity of our hearts is larger than the damage that occurs during a disaster."