UNITED NATIONS, Nov 1 (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Wednesday it was helping Sri Lanka's government line up emergency relief supplies after torrential rains and flooding killed 25 people and affected some 333,000 people.

U.N. agencies were ready to send in water and sanitation kits, temporary shelter, bed sheets, sleeping mats, soap and kitchen utensils, if required, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

Government and U.N. relief workers first needed to assess needs in the hardest-hit areas, the U.N. office said.

The heavy rains that began last Thursday triggered landslides in some areas, blocking roads and driving people from their homes. Authorities said 71 houses were destroyed and 358 damaged.

Sri Lanka's monsoon season runs from September to December.

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