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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to bring food and water to those in desperate need.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in recent years.

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

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest 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 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 declared.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Activists Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that produces meals.

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

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave 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 views the kitchen as an "extension" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

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

"Whatever we asked for, we got an overwhelming amount in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Initiatives for Support

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

Another community-run website helps donors find shelters and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have launched donation drives, while local television channels have initiated an effort to provide food and essential items 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 claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

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

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

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