Two women were killed in separate incidents when their cars were swept away by floodwaters in southern Johor state on Sunday, according to state news agency Bernama.

The Star newspaper said that more than 37,000 people had been evacuated to 200 relief centres in Johor. Several main roads have been cut and electricity supplies have been hit.

Several train services were cancelled in central Malaysia, forcing travellers to switch to buses just as the country prepares for the long Lunar New Year holiday celebrated by minority ethnic Chinese.

Bernama said an additional 1,921 people had been evacuated from low-lying areas in central Negeri Sembilan state.