Thousands of people in Johor were evacuated today after heavy rain caused floods and triggered minor landslides which disrupted rail services.

The state Bernama news agency said over 2,000 people in districts around three Johor towns and its capital, Johor Bahru, had been told by police from early today to leave their homes.

The evacuees are now sheltering in community halls and state-run relief centres, it said.

Massive traffic jams were reported by Bernama in and around Johor Baru, while the national rail company said south-bound services, including connections to neighbouring Singapore, were disrupted.

It said in a statement that heavy rains had caused minor landslides on tracks.

"All south-bound trains are unable to proceed because of this situation," it said in a statement released through Bernama.

"Passengers will be trans-shipped using buses between stations that are not affected by floods or landslides in order to continue their journey," it said.