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Sri Lankan performer GK Reginold rides in a small craft through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

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

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

But the deluge has also sparked a surge in community help, 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 national emergency has been announced.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while humanitarian aid is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

But it will be a long journey to rebuild for the nation, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years.

Community Organizers Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In a Colombo suburb, activists who protested in 2022 are now operating a community kitchen that churns out meals.

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

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist 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 heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and managed the distribution of food.

"Every request we made, we got more than enough in response from the community," he says.

Online Initiatives for Support

A wave of coordination is also happening online, where netizens have created a shared list to channel resources and helpers.

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

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have started an campaign to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling 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 exacerbated the disaster's impact.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, arguing that the ruling party 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.

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