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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to deliver food and water to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, 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 widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in community help, 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 state of emergency has been announced.

The military has sent 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 Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that churns out food aid.

The demonstrations 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 a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers 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 killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Initiatives for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where social media users have created a shared list to channel resources and volunteers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find shelters and see what is in highest demand 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.

Facing criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" 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 protested 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 joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer 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 destruction that occurs during a disaster."