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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring essential supplies to those in desperate need.

Some of the families, he explains, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst natural catastrophe in memory.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing widespread destruction that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also sparked a rise in community help, as citizens face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"My primary motivation for getting involved, 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 deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from international partners and aid groups.

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

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that churns out food aid.

The demonstrations 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 political activism 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 volunteer work in 2016, when torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he says.

Online Initiatives for Aid

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a public database to channel resources and helpers.

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

Private companies have launched fundraising efforts, while local television channels have initiated 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 political differences" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

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

Recently, opposition lawmakers protested in parliament, arguing 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.

"In the end, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after working 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."