The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Brazil rose Monday to 640, as the military stepped up efforts to reach isolated communities near Rio.
The disaster — the worst of its type in Brazil’s history — was now mobilising more than 1,500 emergency personnel, including from the army, air force, and police and fire services.
Fears of disease spreading have added urgency to the search for decomposing bodies, and officials have told the local population to not use run-off water for drinking.
