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Local actor and musician GK Reginold navigates a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, hoping to bring 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 worst weather disaster in memory.

Cyclone Ditwah struck the country last week, causing widespread destruction that killed more than 400 people, left hundreds missing and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in community help, as people face what national leaders has described as the "most challenging 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 so happy that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been affected by the disaster and a national emergency has been declared.

The armed forces has deployed helicopters for rescue operations, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

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

Activists Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who demonstrated in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces meals.

The protests 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 disaster response.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave 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 considers the kitchen as an "extension" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods affected hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have compiled hundreds of requests for help, shared them to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, 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 public database to channel resources and helpers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find relief camps and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Local businesses have organized fundraising efforts, while media outlets have initiated an campaign 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 divisions" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Opposition politicians have accused authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, claiming that the ruling party was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a feeling of unity as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness fade," the organizer wrote after putting in 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."