Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia has announced preparations to accommodate tens of thousands of evacuees ahead of forecast flooding in several states next month, official news reports said Friday.

A total of 4,595 flood evacuation centres have been set up after the Meteorological Department's forecast of unusually high rainfall in December and January, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said.

He said 1,775 boats and 20 helicopters have been set aside for rescue work in areas usually affected by the annual flooding, adding that 1,182 health and medical teams have been placed on standby.

"The water rises very fast in these areas, so ... if we don't have the assets in place when it floods, these areas will be cut off from the outside world," Najib was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

Every year, floods cause tens of thousands of people living in most coastal areas to be forced out of their homes and into temporary shelters.

The government spent 61 million ringgit (18.5 million dollars) on flood relief during the monsoon season last year, Bernama said.

The death toll from last year's floods was 28 with more than 34,000 people displaced. (dpa)