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

Many families, Mr Reginold says, have not received aid for days, cut off by the country's worst weather disaster in memory.

The powerful storm struck the country last week, bringing catastrophic floods and landslides that killed more than 400 people, with hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also sparked a rise in community help, as people face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging 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 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 military has sent 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 fair share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Pitch In at Community Kitchen

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

The protests 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 civic energy 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 considers the kitchen as an "continuation" of his community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have gathered hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and organized the distribution of food.

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

Digital Initiatives for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening online, 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 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 "set aside all political differences" and "come together to restore the nation".

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

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

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

"In the end, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after putting in long hours at relief sites.

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