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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in community help, as people face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," Mr Reginold states. "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 relief assistance is arriving from international partners and non-governmental organisations.

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

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that produces meals.

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

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist explains.

"We mobilized our network 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 gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, 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 Aid

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

Another volunteer-backed website helps donors 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 "put aside all divisions" and "unite to restore the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to limit 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 to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

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