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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a small craft through flooded neighborhoods, hoping to deliver food and water to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's most severe natural catastrophe in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah lashed the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and destroyed 20,000 homes.

But the deluge has also inspired a surge in community help, as people face what the president has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, 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 impacted by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared.

The armed forces has sent 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 recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its share of turmoil in recent years.

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

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

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to political change. Now, that civic energy is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"People 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 community service in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

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

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

Online Initiatives for Support

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

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

Local businesses have launched fundraising efforts, while local television channels have initiated an effort to provide food and basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling of storm readiness, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "come together to restore the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of ignoring weather warnings, 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.

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

"Ultimately, the joy of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," one volunteer wrote after working long hours at aid centers.

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