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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in memory.

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

But the flooding has also sparked a surge in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason 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 state of emergency has been declared.

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

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

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

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

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

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist states.

"We mobilized our network as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

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

The team have compiled hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

"Every request we made, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he notes.

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 helpers.

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

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "come together to restore the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say worsened the disaster's impact.

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing that the ruling party was trying to limit debate on the disaster.

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

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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