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Sri Lankan actor and musician GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through Colombo's suburbs, aiming to bring food and water to those in desperate need.

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

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

But the flooding has also inspired a rise in volunteerism, as people face what national leaders has described as the "gravest natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason for getting involved, is to at least ensure they get 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 announced.

The military has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is arriving from international partners and aid groups.

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

Activists Volunteer at Local Food Hub

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, activists who protested in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that churns out meals.

The demonstrations from three years ago were fuelled by a severe economic downturn that caused lack of fuel, food and medicine. Public anger erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that political activism is being channelled toward cyclone relief.

"Some volunteers came after work, some rotated shifts 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 torrential rain and floods killed hundreds across the country.

The team have compiled hundreds of requests for help, sent the information to authorities, and managed the delivery of food.

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

Online Initiatives for Aid

A wave of coordination is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a public database to channel resources and helpers.

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

Private companies have organized donation drives, while media outlets have started an effort to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Facing criticism over the handling of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "put aside all political differences" and "unite to restore the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of ignoring forecasts, which they say exacerbated the disaster's impact.

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

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

"In the end, the joy of helping someone else in a crisis makes that tiredness 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 greater than the damage that occurs during a disaster."