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Local actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, he explains, have not received aid for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.

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

But the deluge has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as people face what the president has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, 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 affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

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

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that produces meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused lack 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 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 "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information 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 on the internet, where netizens have created a public database to direct donations and volunteers.

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

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

Facing criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have claimed authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

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

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers.

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