Severe floods caused by monsoon rains have killed more than 30 people and displaced tens of thousands in Malaysia and southern Thailand, with both countries preparing shelters and evacuation plans in anticipation of more heavy rain.

The devastation extends beyond Malaysia, with neighbouring Thailand also grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall. Flooding in southern Thailand has claimed 25 lives and affected over 300,000 households, with thousands of people still staying in shelters.

Residents in the Malaysian town of Tumpat were returning to submerged homes and shops as deadly floodwaters began to ease after being inundated by more than a metre of rain in a matter of days, but there were forecasts of more rain to come.

Preparations are underway after heavier-than-expected monsoon rains caused severe flooding that killed at least three people and displaced more than 80,000.

More than 37,000 people have been affected by flooding caused by torrential rain in six Malaysian states this week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday. Anwar told parliament 322 temporary shelters had been opened in the states of Kelantan,

The floods also submerged large tracts of rice fields, causing millions of dollars in losses to farmers, officials said. The heavy downpour also damaged roads, houses and public facilities in Kelantan and other parts of Malaysia.

Thousands of people have been displaced by torrential floodwaters that slammed into southern Thailand, where the death toll has risen to 25, officials said on Tuesday. Malaysian disaster officials said on Tuesday that more than 94,

More than 30,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to severe flooding in southern Thailand, where the death toll climbed to 29, officials said Wednesday.