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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in recent years.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing 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 surge in volunteerism, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least ensure they get 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 announced.

The armed forces has sent helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is arriving from foreign governments and non-governmental organisations.

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

Activists Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who demonstrated in 2022 are now helping run a community kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," one organizer 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 "extension" of his community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

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

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

Online Campaigns for Aid

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

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

Local businesses have launched donation drives, while media outlets have initiated an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

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

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

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

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

"In the end, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at aid centers.

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