The nation's weather forecaster says while heavy rain has eased, another period of downpours is possible on Sunday.

Kota Marudu has the highest number of evacuees at 6,150 from 2,208 families at 12 relief centres.

Four states including Sabah have been hit by floods.

In Sabah alone, the number of flood evacuees increased sharply to 6,313 compared to 1,421 last night.

Some 5,000 people in Johor and more than 1,400 in Sabah had been evacuated as of last night.

Forty-one flood relief centres have been opened across five districts.

More than 3,600 people had been evacuated as of this morning.

Evacuation orders and warnings are widespread, with forecasters saying major roads could become impassable.

Forecasters say a cyclone churning in the Pacific Ocean will spread the rain further north, forming a band from northern California to Washington state.

Dozens of roadways across the state were made impassable by mudslides and snow as the state's department of transportation strongly urged drivers to stay off the roads until crews could clear the way.

Insurers have in some cases been raising the rates they charge as a result of the increasing likelihood of disasters, and in some places have stopped providing coverage.

Officials from some 40 countries as well as private donors and international financial institutions gathered at a meeting as Islamabad sought funds to cover around half of a recovery bill amounting to US$16.3 billion.