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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver essential supplies 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 worst weather disaster in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, causing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in volunteerism, as people face what the president has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least help them to have one meal," he shares. "And I was deeply gratified 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 sent helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is arriving from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Activists Pitch In at Local Food Hub

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

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward disaster response.

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts 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 considers the kitchen as an "extension" of his community service in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Digital Campaigns for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, 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.

Private companies have organized donation drives, while media outlets have started an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

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

Critics have claimed 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.

In affected communities, however, there remains a sense of unity as people begin the cleanup after the floods.

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

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