Malaysian authorities said they were concerned floods in three states, which have forced the evacuation of 4,585 people, could worsen as torrential rains pounded the nation.

"There is now a heavy rain warning out for the northern parts of Johor and Pahang state as the rainfall there and the situation may worsen," Deputy Science Minister Kong Cho Ha told AFP .

"People's lives in these areas will be affected and so our advice to them is to monitor the weather warnings and act early when there is a warning," he said.

The state Bernama news agency said that in worst-hit Johor state in the south, 3,738 evacuees were sheltering at 42 flood relief centres and three major roads had closed.

RM1.5 billion in damages

In central Pahang state, 662 people have been evacuated to flood relief centres, two landslides were reported and two roads were under up to a metre (three feet) of water.

In northern Kelantan state, floods overwhelmed several villages and 185 people were evacuated, Bernama said.

Last December, large parts of Johor were flooded after days of heavy rain that left more than 110,000 people displaced.

The floods, which came in two waves, caused at least RM1.5 billion (US$449 million) in damage, according to government estimates, and were some of the worst Malaysia has seen.

The Meteorological Department warned of more heavy rains over Johor state, especially its northern regions, until late Saturday.

Heavy rain warnings are also in force in Pahang state until Sunday.