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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, he explains, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's worst 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, left hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a surge 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," Mr Reginold states. "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 national emergency has been declared.

The military has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

But it will be a long journey to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its fair share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a makeshift kitchen that churns out 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 rotated shifts and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist explains.

"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 organized the delivery of food.

"Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he says.

Digital Campaigns for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a shared list to direct donations and helpers.

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

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

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

Critics have accused authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's impact.

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 begin the cleanup after the floods.

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers.

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