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

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and destroyed 20,000 homes.

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

"My primary motivation why I wanted to do this, is to at least ensure they get one meal," Mr Reginold states. "And I was deeply gratified that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and a state of emergency has been declared.

The military has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

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

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that produces meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger exploded and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts and some even took leave 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 community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, 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.

Digital Initiatives for Support

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

Another community-run website helps donors find relief camps and identify what is in highest demand in those areas.

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have initiated an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all divisions" and "come together to restore the nation".

Critics have accused 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.

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

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer 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."