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Local performer GK Reginold navigates a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's most severe weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed 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 national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "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 announced.

The military has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in 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 Pitch In at Community Kitchen

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

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time 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 "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Digital Initiatives for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a shared list to channel resources and volunteers.

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

Local businesses have launched fundraising efforts, while local television channels have initiated an effort 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 political differences" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's impact.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, arguing that the government 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 tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

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