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

Many families, he explains, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's worst weather disaster in recent years.

The powerful storm struck 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 deluge has also sparked a surge in community help, as citizens face what the president has described as the "gravest 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 so happy that I was able to do that."

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

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

But it will be a lengthy process to recovery for the nation, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Volunteer at Community Kitchen

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

The protests from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being directed toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," one organizer 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 torrential rain and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

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

Online Initiatives for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening online, where netizens have created a public database to direct donations and helpers.

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

Local businesses have organized donation drives, while local television channels have started an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

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

Critics have accused authorities of disregarding forecasts, which they say worsened the disaster's effects.

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

On the ground, however, there remains a feeling of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

"Disasters are not new to us. But, the empathy and capacity of our hearts is larger than the damage that occurs during a disaster."