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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring food and water to those in desperate need.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, isolated by the country's most severe weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed 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 flooding has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "And I was so happy that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a national emergency has been announced.

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

But it will be a long journey to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces meals.

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

"People came after work, some rotated shifts and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer states.

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

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

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

"Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Online Initiatives for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to direct donations and helpers.

Another community-run website helps supporters find relief camps and see what is most needed in those areas.

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while media outlets have initiated an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

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

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

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

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

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

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