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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, cut off by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in memory.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, bringing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, 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 help them to have one meal," he shares. "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 military has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

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

Activists Volunteer at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces food aid.

The demonstrations from three years ago were driven by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. Now, that political activism is being directed toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some took turns and some even used vacation time to be there," a social media activist explains.

"We reactivated the group 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 heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of calls for assistance, sent the information to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

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

Online Initiatives for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where netizens have created a public database to channel resources and volunteers.

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

Private companies have organized fundraising efforts, while local television channels have started an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all divisions" and "come together to restore the nation".

Critics 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 begin the cleanup after the floods.

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

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